Mobile broadband is set to catch up with its fixed-line counterpart; and there will come a time soon when it could even surpass it, according to a new report.
Analyst firm Frost & Sullivan’s catchily titled “European Mobile Broadband Melee between 3G LTE and Mobile WiMAX” report predicts there will be around 22.4 million 3G LTE subscribers by 2013. Users are already downloading six to fourteen times more data across mobile broadband networks now than they were a year ago, while average users are said to be downloading in excess of 5GB per month – which is also set to rise.
The company suggests the advent of the next generation of mobile broadband – and here the analysts are not picking sides between LTE and the alternative solution WiMAX – will eventually lead operators to move to an ‘open’ access, where any device can connect to any network, rather than just being able to use the one network, as we see at the moment.
However, Frost & Sullivan join the chorus of those suggesting mobile broadband pricing structures need to change. Luke Thomas, programme manager at Frost & Sullivan, said: “Rather than providing flat-fee unlimited contracts or traffic data download caps for 3G LTE and Mobile WiMAX, operators need to be more innovative with their pricing strategies to differentiate themselves from the competition but, at the same time, ensure that it is not too complicated or non-transparent for the user to understand”. For all the information you need on mobile broadband, take a look at Mobile Broadband Genie; it offers information, articles comparisons and advice on all that’s new in mobile broadband such as the latest pay as you go mobile internet deals.
He went on: “Furthermore, operators need to put in place effective management tools to manage traffic using quality-of-service policies, prioritised access and flow-based processing.”
