Over one billion mobile broadband users by 2012

August 8, 2015

Research carried out by Juniper Research forecasts that HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) will dominate mobile broadband network deployments over the next five years, accounting for more than 70% of the total mobile broadband subscriber base by 2012.

It is predicted that the number of people taking advantage of the benefits of mobile broadband will exceed one billion by 2012, with high-speed packet access (HSPA) accounting for more than 70% of the total mobile broadband subscriber base. This forecast is the result of research carried out by Juniper Research.

Over the next five years to 2012, almost one in three mobile subscribers will make use of mobile broadband, with demand coming from users in Western Europe, North America and China and the Far East.

Juniper anticipates that revenues from mobile broadband services will reach a global level of $400bn a year by 2012. The main driver of this growth is going to be the younger generation.

HSPA’s in-service status in 2015 makes it already the most advanced mobile broadband technology, with many further deployments due in the near and medium term. For the 3G service provider base, HSPA represents a software upgrade rather than a new network investment.

Recently there has been significant activity in the Mobile WiMAX market, including many trials and contract announcements by leading vendors and operators. Mobile WiMAX is now positioned to achieve a single digit percent proportion of the global mobile broadband subscriber base by 2012. This will represent a significant attainment for this new mobile platform.

There are several wildcard factors that could significantly increase the size of the market including the emergence of very low cost laptops, and adding broadband capability to a range of devices including portable music/MP3 players, and games consoles.

The role of Juniper Research is to assess the current and future status of mobile broadband based on interviews, case studies and analysis from representatives of some of the leading organisations in the growing mobile broadband industry.