The number of mobile broadband subscribers is projected to surpass 1.5 billion by 2015, and mobile data modem vendors are already on 4G starting line, according to a new report from ABI Research.
“While the majority of subscribers connect to the mobile Internet via their smartphones, a number do so via their modem-enabled iPads, netbooks and laptops,” says ABI Research principal analyst Jeff Orr. “Mobile operators are starting to see burgeoning revenue growth in mobile broadband services. The cellular modems used to connect Internet services to mobile devices are, therefore, gaining in popularity.”
The latest products show improved speed and form-factors. Huawei’s E583C, which also doubles as a portable hotspot, is one example. It can provide 7.2 Mbps downstream and 5.76 Mbps upstream. It weighs just 90 grams and up to five devices can be connected via Wi-Fi. Products supporting HSPA+ networks can provide download speeds up to 21.1 Mbps.
“At present, most modems on the market support GSM, GPRS, EDGE or HSDPA network technologies, according to ABI Research’s cellular modem Market Data,” says research associate Khin Sandi Lynn. “There is also a growing selection of wireless modems supporting 4G technologies.”
Among the new wireless modems launched this year, Sierra Wireless’s Aircard 250U and Franklin Wireless’s U600 are USB modems that support 4G data access using mobile WiMAX. Green Packet, Intel and Motorola also provide WiMAX modems for PCs. While the competing LTE air interface protocol has yet to go commercial on any scale, vendors are already jockeying for position. Huawei has launched its E398 USB modem, which is compatible with LTE, UMTS and GSM protocols.