Next-Generation Mobile Broadband Technologies to Close the Gap With Fixed Broadband, Declares Frost & Sullivan

LONDON - Mobile operators are expected to fully maximise their high-speed packet access (HSPA) deployments before eventually deploying 3G long-term evolution (LTE). Many operators will leapfrog from HSPA to 3G LTE, as the window of opportunity for HSPA Evolved is insignificant when compared to 3G LTE.

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New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (www.wireless.frost.com), European Mobile Broadband (EuMoBro) Melee between 3G LTE and Mobile WiMAX, finds that by 2013, there will be around 22.4 million 3G LTE subscribers with service revenues totalling to euro 9,685.4 million in Western Europe. Both Mobile WiMAX and 3G LTE technologies are covered in this research.

Over the past year, mobile data usage has skyrocketed - six to fourteen times more data is being used on mobile broadband networks today than in the previous year. This is being driven by flat rate pricing and high-speed mobile broadband availability (HSDPA/HSPA). Average users download more than 5GB per month, some as much as 9GB to 11GB.

Though data traffic is on the rise, revenues are unfortunately flat. Operators are witnessing divergence of revenues and traffic load curves for the first time due to the new data loads and flat rate price models. Hence, network cost has to decline and there is a strong focus in the 3G LTE camp on margin and production cost.

“Next generation wireless technologies such as 3G LTE and Mobile WiMAX will eventually lead operators to move to an ‘open’ access, any client device connected, Internet model, with the advent of consumer electronic devices being embedded with 3G LTE technology,” notes Frost & Sullivan Programme Manager, Luke Thomas. “This in turn will lead to higher service stickiness and reduced churn.”

However, operators will need to do away with locking-in client devices to their respective mobile broadband access networks. More smartphones/UMPCs/laptops/consumer electronic devices connected to such high-speed networks will lead to incremental revenues for mobile operators.

“If a mobile operator has decided to deploy 3G LTE by 2010/2011, it should immediately start upgrading its backhaul as each LTE base station would require a minimum of 200-300Mbps backhaul capacity,” advises Thomas.

Mobile operators are currently considering high-capacity point-to-point microwave links and relay for backhaul. However, some are considering minimising additional CAPEX on the backhaul by subsidising 3G LTE-enabled femtocells, thereby making their mobile subscribers pay for the backhaul. The deployment of femtocells, however, would require careful network planning to avoid any interference levels between the macrocell and femtocell.

“Rather than providing flat-fee unlimited contracts or traffic caps for 3G LTE and Mobile WiMAX, operators need to be more innovative with their pricing strategies so as to differentiate themselves from competition but, at the same time, ensure that it is not too complicated or non-transparent for the user to understand,” remarks Thomas. “Furthermore, operators need to put in place effective management tools to manage traffic using QoS policies, prioritised access and flow based processing.”

Such active traffic management will ensure that operators do not tarnish their brand image by levying huge charges for high-speed mobile broadband access.

If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides a brief synopsis of the research and a table of contents, then send an e-mail to Joanna Lewandowska, Corporate Communications, at joanna.lewandowska@frost.com , with your full name, company name, title, telephone number, company e-mail address, company website, city, state and country. Upon receipt of the above information, a brief brochure will be sent to you by e-mail.

European Mobile Broadband (EuMoBro) Melee between 3G LTE and Mobile WiMAX is part of the Mobile & Wireless Growth Partnership Services programme, which also includes research in the following markets: European Mobile Messaging Markets, European Mobile Premium Content Markets, European Femtocells Markets and Social Network Analysis- Looking Inside Mobile Communities Sustainability in Telecoms. All research included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants. Interviews with the press are available.

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GIL 2009: Europe

Frost & Sullivan has expanded its flagship Global Congress on Corporate Growth - GIL Global - into several major cities around the world including London. For the first time ever in Europe, Frost & Sullivan will be hosting the Growth, Innovation and Leadership Congress ‘GIL 2009: Europe’ on 19-20 May, at the Sofitel St James in London. GIL Global is the industry’s only event designed to support senior executives in their efforts to achieve sustainable, top-line growth. To register, obtain a programme agenda, explore sponsorship opportunities, or attend as a member of the media for GIL 2009: Europe, please contact Joanna Lewandowska, Corporate Communications for Frost & Sullivan in Europe, at Joanna.lewandowska@frost.com. One-on-One interviews with Frost & Sullivan senior growth consultants are also being scheduled. For more information you can also visit www.frost.com/gilglobal.

European Mobile Broadband (EuMoBro) Melee between 3G LTE and Mobile WiMAX

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Contact: Joanna Lewandowska Corporate Communications - Europe P: +48-22-390-41-46 E: joanna.lewandowska@frost.com

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Source: Frost & Sullivan

Joanna Lewandowska of Frost & Sullivan Corporate Communications - Europe, +48-22-390-41-46, joanna.lewandowska at frost.com; Logo: https://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081117/FSLOGO