July 22, 2008

Mobile Broadband USB Modems Take Off In Europe

Should Residential Fixed Broadband Product Strategists Be Worried?

by Pete Nuthall

with Michelle de Lussanet, Laura Wiramihardja

Executive Summary (This is a document excerpt)

Since 2007, mobile broadband USB modem sales have rocketed; their fast uptake has caught everyone by surprise, including the mobile operators that actually sell this product. Their success is worrying product strategists at fixed operators as they struggle to assess the impact on their residential fixed broadband business. Will growing mobility lead to consumers substituting their fixed connections with mobile? Many observers predict that mobile broadband connections will overtake fixed within the next five years. Our forecast for consumer mobile broadband refutes that, but we do see an erosion of new business in the late-adopter market for broadband services. We foresee as many as 50% of late adopters — households that are new to broadband — buying mobile broadband instead of fixed. We recommend that product strategists at fixed operators target this segment with greater precision and more relevant promotions in response.

Buy Risk-Free

Download and print PDF immediately. Price: US $1749

Our Money-Back Guarantee: If you are not completely satisfied, return it for a full refund within three weeks of your online purchase.

Already a Forrester Client?
Log in to read this document.