Fixed mobile convergence (FMC) covers a wide array of solutions that merge the capabilities of mobile and fixed voice networks and devices. While transparent hand-off of active voice calls between cellular and Wi-Fi networks with the use of a dual-mode phone is the generally accepted definition of FMC, simultaneous ringing of cellular and wireline phones, network twinning, and mobile PBX extensions and applications are among the growing number of solutions in the FMC family. This PowerPoint deck analyzes current and planned adoption of various FMC solutions based upon multiple survey results, but draws heavily from In-Stats April 2008 unified communications and FMC Technology Adoption Panel survey of over 600 respondents.
In-Stat feels industry market leaders will not be dissuaded by lagging "felt need" for FMC solutions on the part of the business community and will aim to develop compelling solutions that, once experienced, will lead to viral adoption over the next several years. Included in this analysis is a 60-minute briefing by phone with an In-Stat analyst, as well as a forecast of worldwide cellular/Wi-Fi dual-mode telephone shipments and business subscribers.
Cellphone Trends in US Enterprises: A Small Step from Personal Wireless
This report examines how users buy and use cellphones and wireless services today, how businesses and employees reconcile each other for business or personal usage, and the features that business users value today that make them more productive.
It is widely believed within the wireless industry that business users are the most profitable users of wireless devices and services. What is less certain is what business users want today. This is a complicated issue, primarily because many end-user organizations allow their employees to mix personal and business use with their cellphones and service.
The report then looks at the features that the users need for business productivity and want for the personal use of the phone. The personal application of business phones is relevant because 97% of users report at least some personal use, and over 80% of respondents choose the phone they use for business.
The report also looks at the trends in employee reimbursement for business wireless use. The past trend for more business liability has been towards greater corporate liability for business use. This year shows a large increase in firms not reimbursing their employees for business calls. This practice helps the budget, but costs firms in lost productivity and competitiveness. This report shows that there is a difference in business call usage measured in hours each month between employees based upon how their employer pays for business calls (or not).
US Business Wireless Handsets Spending by Size of Business and Vertical Industry, 20072012 (Data File)
This Microsoft Excel data file includes detailed forecasts of US business wireless handsets spending for the 20072012 period.
This data file provides detail for the size-of-business sub-segments in this market: -SOHO businesses (1 to 4 employees) -Small businesses (5 to 99 employees) -Mid-sized businesses (100 to 999 employees) -Enterprise (1,000+ employees)
These forecasts are segmented across nine vertical industry segments: -Utilities -Manufacturing -Retail Trade -Transportation -Information -Finance and Insurance -Professional Services -Healthcare -Government -Other
US Business Wireless Voice Services Spending by Size of Business and Vertical Industry, 20072012 (Data File)
This Microsoft Excel data file includes detailed forecasts of US business wireless voice services spending for the 20072012 period.
This data file provides detail for the size-of-business sub-segments in this market: -SOHO businesses (1 to 4 employees) -Small businesses (5 to 99 employees) -Mid-sized businesses (100 to 999 employees) -Enterprise (1,000+ employees)
These forecasts are segmented across nine vertical industry segments: -Utilities -Manufacturing -Retail Trade -Transportation -Information -Finance and Insurance -Professional Services -Healthcare -Government -Other
US Business Mobile Data Services Spending by Size of Business and Vertical Industry, 20072012 (Data File)
This Microsoft Excel data file includes detailed forecasts of US business mobile data services spending for the 2007-2012 period.
This data file provides detail for the size-of-business sub-segments in this market: -SOHO businesses (1 to 4 employees) -Small businesses (5 to 99 employees) -Mid-sized businesses (100 to 999 employees) -Enterprise (1,000+ employees)
These forecasts are segmented across nine vertical industry segments: -Utilities -Manufacturing -Retail Trade -Transportation -Information -Finance and Insurance -Professional Services -Healthcare -Government -Other
Converged Devices: US Road Warriors Start Cord Cutting
The conventional wisdom within the portable device industry is that consumers have a preference to use converged devices, meaning single devices that combine the functionality of previously separate devices. This survey finds that, with a few notable exceptions, this is largely not the case.
Smartphones are one exception. These are converged devices that combine a PDA and a cellular phone to offer wireless email. In addition, road warriors have started giving up their desk phones in favor of their mobile phones. Otherwise, business users are more likely to carry redundant devices than to pursue the converged device model.
In spite of their current behavior, these users are willing and eager to receive the benefits that converged devices offer. The wireless industry needs to overcome their objections first. This report looks at what users say are their objections to using converged devices. Such information is important for device manufacturers and the wireless operators that sell subscriptions on which these devices operate to anticipate when the promise of converged devices will come to fruition.
