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.”