Infonetics: WiFi Tablets Pressuring Embedded Mobile Broadband Card Market

"The growing popularity of low-cost, WiFi-only tablets like Google's Nexus 7 and Amazon's Kindle Fire is having a direct and negative impact on embedded mobile broadband cards, as the vast majority of embedded device units come from connected tablets," notes Richard Webb, directing analyst for microwave and carrier WiFi at Infonetics Research. (Graphic: Infonetics Research)

CAMPBELL, Calif.--()--Market research firm Infonetics Research released excerpts from its 1st quarter 2013 (1Q13) 3G and 4G Mobile Broadband Devices and Subscribers market share, size and forecasts report.

The comprehensive report tracks over 50 mobile broadband market segments and sub-segments, including smartphones, operating systems (OS), routers, cards, USBs, embedded devices (such as tablets) and subscribers, all by the type of network they connect to, including Long Term Evolution (LTE), W-CDMA/HSPA and other networks.

ANALYST NOTE

“The growing popularity of low-cost, WiFi-only tablets like Google’s Nexus 7 and Amazon’s Kindle Fire is having a direct and negative impact on embedded mobile broadband cards, as the vast majority of embedded device units come from connected tablets,” notes Richard Webb, Infonetics Research’s directing analyst for microwave and carrier WiFi.

Webb adds: “Both unit shipments and revenue for the embedded card segment sank by double digits in 1Q13 from the previous quarter and the year-ago quarter.”

1Q13 MOBILE BROADBAND MARKET HIGHLIGHTS

  • The global 3G/4G mobile broadband device market, including smartphones, embedded devices and routers, totaled $93 billion in 1Q13, dropping off 6% from 4Q12
  • Tablets comprised 89% of embedded device units in 1Q13
  • By 2017, Infonetics expects FDD-LTE mobile broadband tablets to edge out WiFi-only tablets in revenue share, with the higher selling price of connected tablets playing a key role
  • Windows 8 is struggling to make a dent in the smartphone operating system (OS) segment, but did pass Blackberry in 1Q13 to take 3rd place behind big gorillas Andriod and iOS
  • Tablets have dealt a death blow to the netbook: leading netbook manufacturers Acer and Asus announced plans to cease production of netbooks

REPORT SYNOPSIS

Infonetics' quarterly mobile broadband report provides worldwide and regional market size, vendor market share, forecasts through 2017, analysis and trends for smartphones, smartphone OS (Android, Blackberry, iPhone, Linux, Palm, Symbian, Windows Mobile, other), netbook OS (Linux, Mac, Windows, other), tablet OS (Android, iOS, Windows, other), USBs, cards, routers, embedded devices (PCs, netbooks, tablets, mobile internet devices) and subscribers. Companies tracked: Apple, Dell, HTC, Huawei, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Novatel Wireless, Qualcomm, RIM, Samsung, Sierra Wireless, Sony, ZTE and others. To buy report, contact Infonetics: http://www.infonetics.com/contact.asp.

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TO BUY REPORTS, CONTACT:

N. America (West), Asia Pacific: Larry Howard, larry@infonetics.com, +1 408-583-3335

N. America (East), Midwest, L. America: Scott Coyne, scott@infonetics.com, +1 408-583-3395

Europe, Middle East, Africa: George Stojsavljevic, george@infonetics.com, +44 755-488-1623

Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan: http://www.infonetics.com/contact.asp

ABOUT INFONETICS

Infonetics Research (www.infonetics.com) is an international market research and consulting firm serving the communications industry since 1990. A leader in defining and tracking emerging and established technologies in all world regions, Infonetics helps clients plan, strategize and compete effectively. View Infonetics’ About Us slides at http://bit.ly/QUrbrV.

Contacts

Infonetics Research
Richard Webb, +44-1689-851-618 or +1 408-583-3369
Directing Analyst, Microwave and Carrier WiFi
richard@infonetics.com
Twitter: @RichardAWebb

Release Summary

Excerpts from Infonetics' 3G and 4G Mobile Broadband Devices and Subscribers market share, size and forecasts report

Contacts

Infonetics Research
Richard Webb, +44-1689-851-618 or +1 408-583-3369
Directing Analyst, Microwave and Carrier WiFi
richard@infonetics.com
Twitter: @RichardAWebb