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UMD Connectivity: Add 3G Cellular, WiMAX, or Punt
In-Stat/MDR, Dec 2008, Pages: 32
Ultra-mobile PCs (UMPCs) are a rapidly growing part of the mobile market, offering an even higher degree of mobility than full-sized laptops. All UMPCs currently on the market have embedded Wi-Fi. Of these, about one-quarter embed a wide-area wireless broadband modem. These are primarily one of the cellular 3G offerings, but some also support WiMAX. Embedding a wide-area wireless modem into a device addresses the frustration many users have with the coverage of Wi-Fi. However, supporting the multiple cellular protocols is difficult and costly. The newcomer, WiMAX, makes this difficult decision even more complex.
The author forecasts that significantly more UMPCs will embed cellular and WiMAX modems into the devices and projects the unit sales out to 2012. More wide-area communication will result in more sales for this class of device. This report examines the pros and cons for the different combinations of communications.
What is in the Report?
- Global forecasts by communications technology to 2012
- A quick reference chart of mobile communications technologies
- End-user preferences for UMPC communications issues
- Projections on the future for UMPC communications and associated applications
- Strategic guidance for UMPC and laptop manufacturers
Who Will be Interested in This Report?
- Wireless operators (cellular and WiMAX)
- Laptop manufacturers
- UMPC manufacturers
- Cellphone component manufacturers
- Laptop component manufacturers
- WiMAX component manufacturers
HIGHLIGHTS
- UMPCs will increasingly add support for wide-area wireless to supplement Wi-Fi. The percentage will grow from 20% today to almost 50% by 2012.
- For the most part, only large PC manufacturers that also offer UMPCs are expected to support WiMAX because of its limited geographical adoption.
- While US cellular and WiMAX operators want to avoid subsidies for UMPCs, this will eventually be a part of the marketing mix.
What Questions Does This Report Answer?
- What is the size and growth of the UMPC market and how do the wireless connectivity options compare?
- What are the business cases for UMPC manufacturers to incorporate different combinations of wireless?
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