Briefly Noted: Updates, Observations and Trends

Briefly Noted

Each month, we collect miscellaneous happenings, studies, trends or observations you might have missed. This month's briefs focus on market forecasts, interactive TV in the UK, 4G patent holders and more.

Fixed and Mobile Subscribers Market Forecast

Infonetics Research released the highlights from its new Fixed and Mobile Subscribers market forecast report, showing that:

• There were nearly 4 times more mobile subscribers than access line subscribers worldwide in 2008 (3.9 billion vs. 1 billion)
• The number of mobile subscribers grew 17.4% in 2008 over 2007, while access line subscribers declined 5.5%. Access lines are disappearing fastest in North America and China.
• The number of worldwide mobile subscribers will reach 5.9 billion by 2013
• The number of PON FTTH subscribers worldwide is expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 32% from 2008 to 2013. ( www.infonetics.com )

Interactive TV in the UK

We've always thought of the UK as the home of "red button" interactive services, so the results of a recent survey were quite a surprise. According to a survey by Opinium Research for Moneysupermarket.com ( www.moneysupermarket.com/newsandcommunity/press-releases/red-button-world-passes-by-20-million-brits_0007336%20.aspx ), 45% of UK adults (20m) have never used interactive TV, of which 19% (9m) cited a fear of costs as their reason. 13% of UK viewers claimed to have no idea of what the Red button Service offers. On the flip side, of those currently using the service, 28 percent claimed it was one of the best TV innovations ever.

GSA Statistics

The Global Mobile Suppliers Association reports that LTE (mobile 4G) network commitments are growing rapidly. The report ( www.gsacom.com/downloads/pdf/lte_3gpp.php4 ) indicates that there are 51 LTE network commitments in 24 countries, up to 19 LTE networks will be in service by yearend 2010, and up to 36 LTE networks should be in service by yearend 2012. ( www.gsacom.com )

U.S. Broadband Status

The FCC requested two independent studies as part of their development of the National Broadband Plan. Drafts of the Berkman ( www.fcc.gov/stage/pdf/Berkman_Center_Broadband_Study_13Oct09.pdf ) and CITI ( www.broadband.gov/docs/Broadband_in_America.pdf ) studies have been released and placed on Public Notice.

4G Patent Holders

ABI Research's analysis of 4G patent holders concluded that Qualcomm appears to be the current leading patent holder in 4G wireless communications. Other notable players include Interdigital, Huawei, LG, Nokia and Samsung. ( www.abiresearch.com ) ( www.qualcomm.com )