14 DAY TRIAL // The deployments of 4G services all around the world are beginning to gain momentum, and ABI Research says that 22 percent device subscription revenues should result from operator-branded premium services in the segment. Moreover, the research firm also notes that the total amount of 4G mobile consumer service revenues are expected to exceed $70 billion worldwide in 2014, showing a rapid growth.
ABI Research practice director Philip Solis states the following on the matter: “Operators of 4G networks will refuse to be marginalized as ‘dumb data pipe’ service providers. Instead, they will offer suites of ‘smart services’ – some internally developed, others via partnerships with third party suppliers – that will be provided over ‘smart networks’ enabled with all-IP technologies, IMS infrastructure and cloud-based storage.”
According to the research firm, the 4G services are also expected to be optimized for the proliferation of mobile devices, including smartphones, netbooks and PNDs. Not to mention that carriers are expected to start offering pooled device subscriptions. The main attraction when it comes to 4G will be the Internet services, ABI Research also notes, adding that other services will also be present in the carrier's offerings, including: - Location services, such as turn-by-turn directions and POIs - Multimedia services, such as VoD and P2P video sharing - Media broadcast services, such as pay-per-view TV and digital radio - Gaming services, such as multi-player and augmented reality games
ABI Research’s “4G Mobile Consumer Services” report shows that the Web 3.0 services available in the future from 4G carriers are to include popular Web 2.0 features too, such as personalization, community, interactivity, presence, and localization. Moreover, the services will come over the Internet simultaneously to three screens: PCs, TVs and mobile devices, the research firm adds. More details on the report are available on ABI Research's website here.
“Operators will take advantage of this market opportunity by breaking down their walls and building open ecosystems,” says Solis. “They will partner with third-party service providers from whom they can license and re-brand services; they’ll work with network and handset OEMs to influence infrastructure and device specs; and they’ll join ecosystem development organizations, such as Alcatel-Lucent’s ng Connect program.”