14 DAY TRIAL // Mobile phone carriers all around the world are reportedly seeking new ways through which they could expand the use of their wireless networks, and Strategy Analitics says that their focus is expected to shift towards devices like eBook readers, portable navigation devices and game consoles or Mobile Internet Devices, as they have the potential wireless service providers are looking for.
A newly published report from the research firm, dubbed “Wireless Connected Home & Portable Devices: Global Market Forecast Data Table,” shows that embedded WWAN 3G and 4G enabled consumer devices are expected to see a growth of around 79 percent by 2014, as predicted by Strategy Analytics Connected Home Devices (CHD) Service.
At the same time, Peter King, director of the Connected Home Devices Service, points out that a series of leading wireless carriers around the world, including mobile phone operators like AT&T or Verizon in the United States, already established partnerships with various vendors for the provision of wireless connectivity to new consumer electronics (CE) devices.
According to Peter King, this scenario is a positive one, and it will enable the CE community to benefit from the experience carriers have in delivering services. In addition, carriers will also have a lot to gain from the manufacturers’ experience in consumer electronics. “The early partnerships have begun with eBook Reader and Portable Navigation Device vendors. By next year we will start to see a much wider range of wireless-enabled consumer electronics devices,” Peter King also noted.
David Mercer, vice president of the Strategy Analytics Digital Consumer Practice, says that this move the wireless carriers around the world are about to make also shows that a significant change in mindset has occurred. “Previously regarded as a very conservative community, these innovative agreements are designed to drive more network usage and demonstrate the start of a new era for wireless carriers,” he added.