FWT, cellular router shipment to touch 13mn in 2015

NEW YORK, USA: In 2015, shipments of fixed wireless terminals (FWT) and cellular routers will total nearly 13 million, according to the latest forecasts from ABI Research.

The research includes market analysis for industrial terminals, business gateways, telephony adaptors — all relatively mature markets showing stable modest growth — and the newest market segment, mobile broadband routers, which will contribute the greatest increase in shipments.

Also Read: Mobile data traffic from PC modems routers to rise

“While they share underlying technologies, these devices/applications perform different roles and are used in diverse environments,” says ABI Research M2M practice director Sam Lucero. “Industrial terminals, as machine-to-machine devices, benefit from the growing business and government interest in telemetry and telematics."

"Business gateways now offer viable alternatives to DSL-based services and are increasingly used in remote branch offices. Telephony adaptors connect local analog voice phone systems to the world via a cellular network; the Chinese government is particularly interested in their use to extend telephony services to rural areas,” he added.

ABI Research principal analyst Jeff Orr adds: “Mobile broadband routers allowing multiple devices to connect from ‘anywhere’ (a car, a hotel, a construction site) may be found in both consumer and business contexts. Businesses are already familiar with wired business continuity and redundancy methods."

"Now devices have ‘grown wings,’ becoming mobile broadband routers. This segment is starting from practically zero, and its top is not yet in sight,” Orr adds.

To make the most of this market, Orr and Lucero recommend that:

Cellular embedded module vendors should seek new application opportunities in other FWT and M2M segments.

Business gateway vendors should focus on data connectivity rather than voice connectivity.

Developers of mobile broadband hotspot routers must understand early-adopter markets.

Industrial terminal vendors should offer platforms that include cloud computing software delivery models.

Mobile network operators should reconsider how pervasive Wi-Fi technology enables new subscribers and welcomes multi-device users.

FWT and cellular broadband router vendors should consider entry into the business gateway market.