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ABI Research Sees UMA Set to Capture 65 Million Fixed-Mobile Convergence Subscribers by 2012

  • July 4th, 2007
  • 1:02 pm

Not that long ago, many market-watchers thought that Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) had run its course as a means of bridging cellular and Wi-Fi networks. However, because of the delays in the growth and development of viable competing solutions (SIP, or VCC), the opposite is true: UMA services, devices, and subscribers are still growing, and subscriber numbers should reach 65 million by 2012.

A new Research Brief from ABI Research indicates that at least seven handset vendors currently offer UMA-enabled handsets, and mobile operators are actively pursuing the technology.

“Until recently, proponents of competing fixed-mobile convergence solutions frequently cited the fact that UMA was only usable with 2G or enhanced 2G cellular services,” says principal analyst Philip Solis. “But recently, the UMA client software has received an upgrade that will allow it to work with 3G handsets and services, offering another mobile broadband FMC option that will be viable for some time to come.”

A number of major telecom operators around the world have been busy with UMA: they like the idea because it relieves 3G network congestion. British Telecom now has over 40,000 customers for its consumer UMA-based service, Fusion, and has launched a corporate version in eight European countries.

France Telecom countered with a similar service called Unique, selling over 250,000 UMA handsets, and T-Mobile launched a large-scale UMA-based service in the US last month. Several other carriers worldwide are also testing the UMA waters.

 

   

 

 

Mobile phone accessories revenues to reach USD 32 bln

  • May 30th, 2007
  • 10:46 am

The market for mobile phone accessories will generate over USD 32 billion in revenues in 2007, more than the USD 28 billion expected from the smartphone market. Around 77 percent of these revenues will come from the sales of after-market mobile phone accessories and the remaining from in-box accessories shipments, according to reports from ABI Research. Handset vendors recognise that to increase sales of their high-end mobile phones and smartphones, they need to provide accessories that allow users to fully enjoy and benefit from the features provided in those handsets. ABI Research expects the market for mobile phone accessories to grow steadily in the next five years and generate over USD 80 billion in revenues in 2012.

   

Mobile phone Accessories to Generste $32B this Year

  • May 30th, 2007
  • 7:52 am

According to ABI Research, revenues from mobile phone accessories is projected to reach $32 billion this year while Smartphones $28 billion. Heads up to handset vendors; they must think more creatively, gain more consumer insights, and wield intensive marketing initiatives to maximize this opportunity.
The continuing innovation and further advancements in technology coupled with the increasing desire of customers to personalize their handsets, bodes well for the future of the market.

“The number of mobile phone accessory products is expanding with new products driven by technology as well as by customer fashion and personalization needs appearing in the market. Handset vendors and mobile operators are showing greater interest as accessories provide high margins and also opportunities to promote their brand and expand their product offerings. The growing interest among mobile operators is also driven by the realization that mobile phone accessories can lead to higher ARPUs,” said Shailendra Pandey, ABI Research industry analyst.