Synopsis
Wireless broadband has seen moderate growth in the UK in recent years. Many WiFi and WiMAX deployments have been instigated by municipalities, while the major wireless operators have expanded their networks and concentrated on sharing hotspots. Wireless broadband on mobile networks has shown phenomenal growth in 2010 as consumers exploit the wider availability of HSPA networks, and this growth is set to continue during the next few years as the sector matures. From late 2013 high-end mobile data will be stimulated by the availability of greater network capacity through LTE operating on spectrum scheduled to be auctioned at the end of 2012. This report provides statistics and data for the UK’s wireless broadband market, reviewing recent developments in WiFi and WLAN infrastructure and mobile broadband. It also reviews the status of the key market players and spectrum licensing, and looks ahead to opportunities for coming years.
Key developments:
Regulator allows spectrum trading in the 900MHz, 1800MHz and 2.1GHZ bands; average mobile broadband speeds reach only 1.5Mb/s; UK Broadband plans for LTE launch; a quarter of the population making use of mobile broadband; average mobile broadband speeds estimated at 1.5Mb/s; regulator’s 2010 market data report and data to Q2 2011; operator data to end-2011; market developments into early 2012.
Companies covered in this report include:
UK Broadband, British Telecom, Thrive Telecom, Libera, The Cloud.
