The growing use of mobile broadband services by
handsets, laptops, MIDs, and mobile CE devices will place
ever-increasing demands on 3G networks that can only be addressed
by 4G networks and the use offixed-mobile convergence (FMC)according to a new report from ABI Research.
The report suggests that capital expenditure by mobile operators
on 4G base station gateways and FMC-related carrier equipment will
approach $850 million in 2013.
“
FMC is not just about relieving networks’ voice traffic congestion,
but data too,” explained ABI principal analyst Philip Solis.
“3G handsets with Wi-Fi, laptops that often feature cellular
connections, the new class of Mobile Internet Devices, and other
mobile broadband-enabled consumer electronic products – all add to
network load. Operators’ need for FMC and
4G equipment to meet that extra demand creates real
opportunities for vendors.”
The result of all of these factors, concludes ABI, will be
necessary changes to the mobile network landscape. FMC requires a
well-integrated network incorporating unified cross-platform
applications. In addition, as technologies’ such as femtocells are
gradually introduced, they will increase network load as they
become embedded as a function in any number of customer premises
equipment, from DSL gateways to set-top boxes.
ABI expects there to be $850 million worth of capital
expenditures on the part of the network operators that will be
spread between FMC platforms, 4G base stations, and the 4G gateways
that aggregate their traffic.