Mobile World Congress Key Findings

LTE, WiMAX, Mobile Linux, Femtocells, Location, MIDs, and other Key Topics

Home from the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2008, a quartet of analysts from ABI Research reflect on their observations during a week of information blitz from major players in the market. A common thread among our analysts’ observations was that behind the glitzy exhibits and lurking below the hype were some interesting undercurrents. One of the real, if subtle themes of the show lies in past promises that are finally becoming reality. Mobile Linux headed that list, with femtocells not far behind. Location, which was found only in isolated products previously, has now become an integral part of the wireless ecosystem, adding an important element to wireless service offerings and data applications. Now, everyone has an LTE strategy. The divergence of mobile devices is sending ripples through the whole value chain. Mobile operators and other service providers are examining the transition to 4G and figuring out the accompanying expansion into new device types. Underlying this trend is an undercurrent of activity in the form of the platforms that are becoming available to support MIDs and mobile CE devices. In this Research Brief, we examine these themes as well as other trends from MWC 2008.

Table of Contents


Section 1.
MOBILE LINUX AND FEMTOCELLS GET REAL
1.1. Mobile Linux
1.2. Femtocells

Section 2.
LOCATION AND SOCIAL NETWORKING
2.1. Pedestrian Navigation
2.2. Location-Based Mobile Social Networking
2.3. Vendor Positioning

Section 3.
MOBILE NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE
3.1. Managed Services
3.2. LTE
3.3. Handsets and Mobile Advertising

Section 4.
LOTS OF NOISE FROM WIMAX AND LTE AND UNDERCURRENTS ELSEWHERE
4.1. The Road to 4G Networks
4.2. Diversification of Mobile Devices: MIDs and Connected CE Devices