Semiconductor Technology Developments Boost Mobile Broadband Speeds
New Strategy Analytics research shows that average maximum mobile broadband download
speeds have recorded the largest quarter-on-quarter increase since this service
was introduced in 2009.
The average speed is accompanied by a corresponding increase in
data allowance capacity. Currently, average download speeds exceed 14 Mbps and
are expected to approach 20 Mbps by the end 2012.
Strategy Analytics says data allowance, which now averages just over 8 GB per month, will average over 10 GB per month by the end of the year.
These boosts of speed come from the wave of 4G or LTE rollouts for mobile devices in many countries, along with operator upgrades to 3.5G and various versions of HSPA/HSPA+ technologies.
An author of a recent report on the subject, Pawel Kmiec, says, "Since December there has been a 20 percent increase in the number of plans that advertise maximum download speeds in excess of 21 Mbps. These plans are followed by the Strategy Analytics Mobile Broadband Price Benchmarking service. Going forward, Strategy Analytics expects these trends to continue. Average allowances should exceed 10 GB per month by the end of the year, while average download speeds will likely be in excess of 20 Mbps."