Disqus
The growing use of mobile broadband services will place ever-increasing demands on the existing 3G networks. In the end, 4G networks will be required because people want to use their devices wherever they are. Meanwhile, one way to reduce the stress on network capacity is through the use of fixed-mobile convergence (FMC), which routes traffic through customers’ wired broadband connections when they are at home — something operators are already doing. According to ABI Research, capital expenditure by mobile operators on 4G base station gateways and FMC-related carrier equipment will approach $850 million in 2013.
All these factors mean necessary changes to the mobile network landscape, as FMC requires a well-integrated network that incorporates unified cross-platform applications.
As femtocells are gradually introduced, they will become embedded as a function in any number of customer premises equipment, from DSL gateways to set-top boxes.
ABI’s principal analyst Philip Solis said: “Fixed-mobile convergence is not just about relieving networks’ voice traffic congestion, but data too. 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.”
More information is available in the ABI Research’s Brief “Mobile Broadband Needs FMC and 4G.”
About The Author
Dusan Belic
Dusan has been using smartphones since their introduction and is now following the latest trends in the industry. The "convergence" is what he's most excited about, and writing about it is the next logical thing to do. He thinks that using a smartphone is what everyone who cares about their time should do. In addition to his interests in mobile phones, Dusan also loves to experiment with the latest web and mobile 2.0 services. The idea of accessing and managing your information from any device no matter where you are simply amazes him. Whether it's an online to-do list, note taking service or a video sharing social network, he's there to try it out. He admits though, he's still searching for the ultimate web-based organizational tool, which "sings" perfectly with the mobile PIM application. Dusan used to run SymbianWatch.com which later became part of IntoMobile. He lives in Serbia, South-East Europe, from where he edits the site on a daily basis.
