Parks Associates says 3G subscribers will double over next five years, with global 3G+ tablet sales to exceed 68 million by 2015

Parks Associates forecasts more than 68 million of the 126 million tablets sold worldwide in 2015 will have 3G or greater technology. The research firm's latest report Mobile Broadband & Mobile Computing Devices shows 29% of the 16.5 million tablets sold in 2010 featured embedded 3G technology, while tablets with 3G/4G technology will account for over one-half of all tablets sold in 2015.

“We are seeing strong consumer engagement in data-intensive services and activities, such as social networking, uploading photos to the Internet, and watching online video, on mobile phones,” said Jennifer Kent, a Parks Associates’ mobile research analyst. “By offering the same mobile Internet capabilities as a smartphone, but with better visual and computing experiences, tablets will also benefit from these consumer behaviors.”

Consumer demand for mobile data will increase further as carriers continue to deploy 3G and 4G networks around the world, enabling better user experiences and opening new markets to reliable mobile Internet access. According to the report, 3G subscribers will double over the next five years to account for 47% of total mobile subscribers in 2015, with an additional 5% of mobile subscribers receiving 4G service. The ability to turn this growing data usage into revenue will be the key challenge for carriers going forward.

"Carriers need to optimize network performance, be selective about subsidizing mobile platforms, and monetize Wi-Fi assets in order to stay profitable," said Harry Wang, director, mobile research, Parks Associates. "Additionally, carriers need to offer more pricing options with flexible rules to fit consumers’ access needs.”

For more information about Mobile Broadband & Mobile Computing Devices, visit http://www.parksassociates.com or contact 972-490-1113, [email protected].

About Parks Associates: Parks Associates, a woman-founded and certified business, is an internationally recognized market research and consulting company specializing in emerging consumer technology products and services. Founded in 1986, Parks Associates provides business intelligence and research services through its proprietary methodologies developed over decades, including quarterly surveys of 10,000 internet households.

The company's expertise crosses many industries: home security and smart home, streaming video, broadband and pay-TV services, digital media and platforms, gaming, Wi-Fi and home networks, connected health, support, consumer electronics, home control systems, energy management, and tech solutions for the multi-dwelling (MDU), small-to-medium business (SMB), and commercial building markets.

Each year, Parks Associates brings thousands of leaders together for its webinars and annual events. The firm hosts the annual executive research and strategy conferences CONNECTIONS™, Connected Health Summit, Smart Energy Summit, Smart Spaces, and Future of Video. https://www.parksassociates.com
 

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