Enterprise FMC Will Grow at a CAGR of 27%, Reaching Over 27 Million by 2014

In a new study from ABI Research, FMC (Fixed-Mobile Convergence) handset voice connections for business customers are forecast to rise from 6.3 million in 2009 to more than 27 million by 2014. FMC voice connections include Wi-Fi FMC connections as well as cellular FMC connections using picocells and femtocells.

However, its not just femtocells that are driving up enterprise FMC connections. Says practice director Dan Shey, “While femtocells have been all the rage, dual-mode cellular/Wi-Fi phones will also increase enterprise FMC voice access.”

Indeed, Wi-Fi in smartphones will grow from a 45% attach rate in 2009 to a 90% attach rate in 2014. Business customers are the primary adopters of smartphones and with increased penetration of Wi-Fi smartphones, this change levels the playing field between cellular and Wi-Fi FMC. Previously, the knock against FMC solutions particularly for VoWi-Fi was the lack of Wi-Fi phones.

Another variable affecting the business FMC landscape is business customers accessing the web, watching videos and connecting to social networking sites for personal reasons. FMC solutions and smartphones provide IT managers with ways to manage these kinds of connections.

The wildcards for enterprise FMC are downloadable VoIP applications from companies such as Skype and Truphone. Says Shey, “Downloadable apps that offer VoIP connections over Wi-Fi or on unlimited cellular data plans may not be enterprise-grade for now. But their availability will change how we view VoIP on cell phones, leading to some interesting opportunities and challenges for the mobile supply chain.”

ABI Research’s Enterprise Fixed Mobile Convergence study reviews the drivers and inhibitors as well as the mobile supply chain developments affecting the customer growth of both cellular and Wi-Fi FMC solutions. Analysis reviews solutions based on factors of cost, coverage, capacity, connectivity, control, convenience, and security. The report discusses ways in which FMC supplier participants are addressing these needs as well as how upcoming technologies of IMS, RCS, and VCC will change these conditions. Regional forecasts are provided for FMC subscribers by industry vertical, size of business and by building size.

The report is included in ABI Research’s Services: Business Mobility Research Service.

ABI Research provides in-depth analysis and quantitative forecasting of emerging trends in global connectivity. From offices in North America, Europe and Asia, ABI Research’s worldwide team of experts advise thousands of decision makers through research and advisory services in eight key practice areas. Est. 1990. For more information visit www.abiresearch.com, or call +1.516.624.2500.