The rollout sometime in 2010 of
LTE-based mobile networks offering hugely increased bandwidth
will revolutionise mobile broadband for businesses according to a
new report by Juniper Research.
The market analyst
bullishly predicts that the recession will not in the longer term
adversely affect
LTE based mobile broadband, which could offer bandwidth up to
100 Mbps at commercial launch. Juniper calculates that LTE mobile
broadband will generate globally $70 billion worth of revenues
within the first five years of deployment.
Key drivers for the
rapid growth, says Juniper, will be mobile commerce and payments,
the mobile web and the need to return to economic growth. Juniper
estimates that LTE’s main markets will be the developed nations of
North America, Western Europe, the Far East and China, which
together will likely account for 90% of the market by 2014.
Furthermore, Juniper Research suggests that what it
calls the new “exciting” technology will also
bridge the gap between the
mobile and consumer electronics, creating a new connected
era for devices such as portable games consoles and digital
cameras.
Yet on a more
realistic note, Juniper warns that a number of key issues need to
be addressed before this new dawn arrives. Commented Juniper
researcher Howard Wilcox, “LTE will offer broadband speeds of up to
100 Mbps or more: this is at least five times faster than the best
mobile broadband now and around 20 times faster than most people
experience via fixed DSL. The challenge for mobile operators is how
to make profits yet keep prices attractive enough for subscribers
to sign up. It’s all about the business case.”