In February 2009, ABI Research found that dual-mode cellular/Wi-Fi mobile handset shipments were set to double between 2008 and 2010. ABI analysts have now confirmed that a similar pattern will hold true for the period 2009-2011. This year is on track to see 144 million handsets shipped, with forecasts for 2011 at just over 300 million. "Wi-Fi's penetration into handsets has more momentum than the bad economy," says industry analyst Michael Morgan. "It has become a must-have item much as Bluetooth did earlier. But just having Wi-Fi in the handset isn't enough. You have to have a reason for customers to use it. Until now it has been predominantly for data use, with voice struggling to find its niche." However mobile operator attitudes to Wi-Fi have been changing. At first many feared that Wi-Fi would take (voice/data) traffic off their networks, resulting in lost revenue. Now they're starting to realize that it may instead mean an increase in available ne...
TMT Market Research and Analysis