Parks Associates Forecasts Over 50% of Mobile Internet Devices Sold in 2014 Will Have Embedded Mobile Broadband


DALLAS, TX--(Marketwire - July 8, 2010) - International research firm Parks Associates forecasts consumer demand for ubiquitous wireless access will make mobile broadband a common feature in portable CE, with 55% of the more than 100 million mobile Internet devices (MIDs) sold worldwide in 2014 containing embedded mobile 3G or faster connectivity.

The firm's new report Mobile Internet Devices: Uptake and Trends finds the majority of consumers consider wireless connectivity a necessity for devices such as e-readers, iPads, and portable game players. As a result, OEMs will incorporate mobile broadband into more devices, and to drive end-user adoption further, they could start to forge partnerships with mobile operators to develop innovative pricing models for mobile data services.

"The marriage of mobility and the Internet is creating excellent market opportunities," said Harry Wang, director, mobile research, Parks Associates. "Connected PMPs, e-book readers, and Internet tablets account for the majority of sales through 2014. These devices fit perfectly with the growing demand for mobility among today's consumers."

Mobile broadband won't replace Wi-Fi completely, however. "Wi-Fi's advantages as a low-cost, traffic-offloading solution for mobile carriers are well established," Wang said. "Its use on MIDs in homes and at hotspots will increase in the next few years until mobile carriers fully migrate to their next-generation LTE network."

Mobile Internet Devices: Uptake and Trends defines mobile Internet devices (MIDs) as portable consumer electronics such as e-book readers, iPad-like Internet tablets, portable media players, digital photo frames, PNDs, PDAs, and digital cameras with Internet access. The report analyzes the emerging MID market from industry and consumer perspectives and includes five-year market forecasts. For more information, visit http://www.parksassociates.com/mobile or contact 972-490-1113, sales@parksassociates.com.

About Parks Associates
Parks Associates is an internationally recognized market research and consulting company specializing in emerging consumer technology products and services. Founded in 1986, Parks Associates creates research capital for companies ranging from Fortune 500 to small start-ups through market reports, primary studies, consumer research, custom research, workshops, executive conferences, and annual service subscriptions.

Each year, Parks Associates hosts executive thought leadership conferences CONNECTIONS™, with support from the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)®, and CONNECTIONS™ Europe. Parks Associates produces the online publication Industry Insights in conjunction with the CONNECTIONS™ Conference series.

http://www.parksassociates.com | http://www.connectionsconference.com | http://www.connectionseurope.com | http://www.connectionsindustryinsights.com

Contact Information:

Mindi Sue Sternblitz-Rubenstein
Parks Associates
972-490-1113
mindi.sue@parksassociates.com