The GSMA and Microsoft have published the results of a study into mobile broadband computing that shows a currently untapped market worth some US$50 billion in 2008 – a 70 million unit opportunity – for notebook PCs with built-in mobile broadband in the high growth, mass market US$500-$1000 price range.
The research, undertaken by Pyramid Research, also revealed a gap of over 46 million notebooks between recent industry analysts forecasts and this new report, suggesting that the PC industry has yet to produce the optimum connected notebook that appeals to mass market PC buyers. The study involved more than 12,000 consumer interviews across 13 countries as well as input from all members of the notebook value chain.
“Microsoft is pleased to be working with the GSMA to accelerate the adoption of PCs with built-in mobile broadband,” said Will Poole, Corporate Vice President of the Unlimited Potential Group at Microsoft. “By quantifying and characterising PC market demand, it is our hope that mobile operators and OEMs will collaborate to introduce compelling and affordable notebooks with innovative new services.”
PC vendors that have reacted to this market data and expressed interest in working with mobile operators and the GSMA to fulfill this market demand include Asus, Dell, Fujitsu Siemens, Lenovo, Twinhead and Vestel.
As mobile operators examine how best to reach potential subscribers, the GSMA and many of its largest operator members are launching a competition to identify devices and manufacturers able to serve the untapped market. Notebook manufacturers and OEMs will be asked to propose new designs that can meet such demand.
The winner of the new PC design will be showcased to decision makers within mobile operators that are interested in serving the unmet needs for broadband services on PCs. The winner will be announced at the Mobile World Congress in
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