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Strong Consumer Interest in Converged VoWLAN/Cellular Services May be Slowed by Handset Availability


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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., January 2, 2007 - Consumers are very enthusiastic about the kind of billing and service plans converged VoWLAN/cellular services could provide but the availability of suitable handsets could cause the market to develop slowly reports In-Stat (http://www.in-stat.com). Several recent surveys found also found little interest in technology such as the special mobile phones and Wi-Fi connections necessary to enable those services, the high-tech market research firm says.

“There is unprecedented interest in ‘home zone’ pricing, which offers unlimited local and domestic long-distance calls for a single flat fee when the customer uses a home Wi-Fi access point or a Wi-Fi hotspot,” says David Chamberlain, In-Stat analyst. “This concept is just one of the possible services from converged VoWLAN/cellular technology.” Converged VoWLAN/cellular services face technology competition from miniature cell sites called “femtocells” that a customer could install instead of using Wi-Fi. “There aren’t many Wi-Fi/cellular phones available right now,” Chamberlain points out. “Femtocells don’t require specialized cellular handsets.”

Recent research by In-Stat found the following:

* Unlike many other mobile applications, such as video and downloadable music, the primary market for home zone billing plans appears not to be high spending, high-usage wireless customers.
* The more frugal customers, who may be limiting their usage and spending to avoid unexpected bills, are a more important—but difficult to identify—market.
* Wireless and fixed-line carriers must forge alliances in order to provide converged services and billing.

Recent In-Stat research, In-Depth Analysis: Consumer Demand for Cellular/Wi-Fi Services (#IN0602912MCM), covers the market for converged Cellular/VoWLAN services. It includes extensive analysis of an In-Stat consumer survey on these services. It also provides background on the technology, and discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of deployment for carriers and consumers. This report is important to companies considering entry into the converged services market including equipment vendors, handset manufacturers, and wireless carriers.

For more information on this research or to purchase it online, please visit: http://www.instat.com/catalog/Wcatalogue.asp?id=231 or contact a sales representative: Eastern North America: Tina Sheltra, 480.609.4531; tina.sheltra@reedbusiness.com Western North America: Erin McKeighan, 480.609.4551; emckeighan@reedbusiness.com Outside of North America: http://www.instat.com/sales.asp

The price is $3,495 (US).

This research is part of In-Stat’s Mobile Consumer Service, which integrates primary end-user research, strategic industry analysis, technology assessment, and applied econometrics to provide a unique 360-degree view of the US consumer market for mobile wireless services. It examines the US market for wireless data and multimedia applications, including SMS, MMS, mobile gaming, location-based services, downloadable content, mobile video and music, and wireless Internet services. It also provides a complete market view by combining analysis of technology trends and consumer behavior, including tracking and forecasting of wireless data spending by segment.

For additional information about VoWLAN/cellular convergence or for other information from the surveys used in this report, please see:

In-Depth Analysis: A Study of Broadband Households and IMS Consumer Markets: www.instat.com/abstract.asp?id=272&SKU=IN0602881WWI

In-Depth Analysis: FMC in China: A Long Way to Go: www.instat.com/abstract.asp?id=279&SKU=IN0602823CWW

For more information, contact:

David Chamberlain, Principal Analyst
Phone: 480-483-4449
Email: David.Chamberlain@reedbusiness.com

MORE INFORMATION ON THIS RESEARCH

* Title: In-Depth Analysis: Consumer Demand for Cellular/Wi-Fi Services
* Service: IMS & Fixed/Mobile Convergence
* Product Number: IN0602912MCM
* Publication Date: December 2006
* Number of Pages: 34
* Price: $3,495 U.S. Dollars
* Abstract, Table of Contents, Figures & Tables
* Members Only Access: Full text HTML , PDF

Market Research from In-Stat

In-Stat offers a broad range of information resources and analytical assets to technology vendors, service providers, technology professionals, and market specialists worldwide. The company stands alone in its ability to integrate both supply-side and demand-side research methodologies into a single comprehensive view of technology markets and products. This capability relies on a unique ability to cover the entire value chain from engineering-level technology, through equipment, infrastructure, services and end-users.

In-Stat is a strategic segment of the $8 billion Reed Elsevier global information network, with access to an expansive worldwide electronic network, extensive technology databases and well-informed personnel. In-Stat analysts gain exceptional insight into geographic market places and specific technologies within markets such as electronics, cable and wireless. As a member of Reed Business Information, In-Stat is a division of the largest business-to-business publisher in the U.S.



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