According to an industry report released this week, even in the midst of economic challenges, service providers have continued to invest in networks and progress toward the migration from 3G to 4G technologies.

 

In the wake of the global economic meltdown which significantly impacted the consumer device segment of the telecommunications industry, Frost & Sullivan (News - Alert) predicted the number of devices connected to the Internet via service provider networks is projected to grow substantially in the upcoming years.

 

“We’re entering a period of time in which every device than can be connected will be connected to the Internet and other devices,” said James Brehm, senior consultant, mobility and the unwired experience, Frost & Sullivan.

 

Industry predictions range from the tens of billions to one trillion connected devices, depending on definitions used. “Hyper-connectivity,” the “everywhere-anytime Internet,” and “smart services” are just some of the names being given to the phenomena, according to Frost & Sullivan analysts.

 

According to the study, key drivers of the market include:

 

·         Consumer desire for connectivity anytime, anywhere;

·         New device form factors;

·         Improved network capabilities;

·         Improved device user interfaces; and

·         New partnerships and business models.

 

While opportunities are on the horizon, new challenges are also ahead, with one being the ability to provide a positive customer and end-user experience as growth increases exponentially.

 

In a recent keynote, AT&T’s (News - Alert) Mobility Czar Ralph De La Vega discussed how connected eReaders, netbooks and personal navigation devices will fuel the next wave of wireless growth.

 

Frost & Sullivan’s own research suggests wireless penetration rates growing from near 90 percent to over 250 percent within the next five years, according to company officials.

 

As recently reported by TMCnet, Nordic telecoms operator TeliaSonera has launched the world’s first 4G Wi-Fi technology service. The European wireless giant has now rolled out LTE (News - Alert) networks – namely 4G – in Sweden and Norway, unveiling its plan to launch high-speed broadband service in at least 25 cities by the end of 2010.