Mobile Broadband Devices: from USB modems to where?

Published by	Analysys Mason
Published	May, 2009	Product code	91408
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Price	US $ 3599 PDF by E-mail (Single User License)

Introduction
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Mobile Broadband Devices: from USB modems to where? published by Analysys Mason in May, 2009. This report price starts from US $ 3599.

Introduction

Abstract

“The mobile broadband devices market is changing rapidly, and if MNOsx and handset vendors do not identify the direction of the market, they will miss out on a substantial revenue opportunity.” Matt Hatton, Principal Analyst.

A major driving force behind the rapid adoption of mobile broadband was the availability of user-friendly USB modems as a replacement for clunky PCMCIA cards. Today, these USB modems dominate the devices market, but this is changing rapidly. Laptops with embedded mobile broadband are becoming increasingly popular, with substantial implications for operator and vendor business models. At the same time, the range of devices being used to access mobile broadband networks is expanding. Home hubs, which provide mobile broadband connectivity to a Wi-Fi router, are gaining increasing traction in the market, while the opportunities for using the mobile handset as a modem are under-exploited.

Mobile broadband represents one of the few growth opportunities for device vendors in the face of an economic downturn. As a result, the established players ZTE and Huawei face increased competition from vendors, such as Nokia, which are looking to offset declining revenue in their traditional handset lines. These unique circumstances make for an uncertain competitive landscape where there are no guarantees about which vendors will dominate.

Mobile broadband devices: from USB modems to where? provides a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the mobile devices market. It examines the evolution of the market from USB modems to a more fragmented landscape, incorporating devices with embedded mobile broadband, home hubs and the handset as a modem, giving operators and vendors invaluable insight into the dynamics of this rapidly evolving field. It analyses the implications of the evolution for the vendor landscape. The report contains a detailed forecast of the market opportunity for each of the major types of device, with installed base and annual sales figures for 30 countries across Europe, including the EU, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine.

Mobile broadband devices: from USB modems to where? answers your key questions:

What is the market opportunity for mobile broadband devices in Europe during the next five years?
What will be the key factors determining which mobile broadband device (USB modems, laptops with embedded mobile broadband, home hubs, handsets as modems) will dominate?
What are the implications of different devices for MNO business models?

Author

Matt Hatton (Principal Analyst) is the lead analyst for Analysys Mason' s Mobile Broadband research programme, which explores the key issues affecting the evolution of this critical new market. He has over 10 years of experience at the cutting edge of telecoms strategy research and consulting. His career in the industry has included a market intelligence and strategy role with Hutchison 3G UK (3 UK), and five years as a Senior Analyst and Program Manager with Yankee Group. Matt is a well-respected commentator on the mobile industry. He has an MSc in Telecommunications from University College London.

About Analysys Mason

0. Summary

1. The mobile data market is growing rapidly

2. The market for mobile broadband devices is growing more diverse

2.1 Terminals and end-user devices
2.2 Connectivity devices

3. Market development scenarios

3.1 Installed base: embedded laptops will overtake USB modems by 2014
3.2 Annual sales: embedded modules will account for 77% of sales in 2014
3.3 Annual service revenue: following the installed base

4. Market strategies and tactics

4.1 MNOs need to build strong relationships with IT channels
4.2 MNOs need to develop propositions aimed at notebooks with embedded modules
4.3 MNOs should offer a small, focused product range and exploit service-related opportunities
4.4 MNOs should promote connectivity, not just the device

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List of Figures and Tables

Figure 0.1: Mobile broadband device sales by type in Europe, 2007 - 2014
Table 0.1: Characteristics and future of different form factors of mobile broadband device
Figure 1.1: Mobile broadband connections in Europe, 2008 - 2014
Figure 2.1: Options for mobile broadband connectivity
Figure 2.2: Embedded modem value chain
Table 2.1: Mobile broadband and mobile Internet tariffs in the UK, April 2009
Figure 3.1: Mobile broadband connections in Europe by device type, 2007 - 2014
Figure 3.2: Market share of mobile broadband devices by region, 2007 - 2014
Table 3.1: Annual sales of mobile broadband devices in Europe, 2007 - 2014
Figure 3.3: Mobile broadband ARPU by device type in Europe, 2007 - 2014
Figure 3.4: Annual revenue from mobile broadband by device type in Europe, 2007 - 2014
Table 3.2: Assumptions regarding relative mobile broadband ARPU levels in Europe, 2007 - 2014
Figure 4.1: MNOs' control over distribution channels and the importance of connectivity for various devices