M2M: Near Field Communications Finally Matters, Says Forrester Research

By Gary Kim, Contributing Editor

Forrester Research's (News - Alert) annual mobile technology outlook for 2011 should not surprise many people. The firm suggests that local and social mobile apps and services will generate little revenue. But 2011 might finally be the year that near field communications, widely seen as an important underpinning for mobile commerce, will emerge.

Smartphone penetration will start beyond the initial ranks of "actively engaged" users, so Forrester Research expects new adopters to use mobile Web and other apps less intensively than earlier adopters. On the other hand, even these lighter smartphone users will consume more mobile media than ever before. 

The "apps versus mobile Internet" debate will continue, but it really isn't the issue. Both modes will be important.

Mobile marketing spending will grow significantly and surpass $1 billion in the United States. 

Forrester Research also suggests that 2011 is the year that near field communication begins to matter. 

The attention paid to 4G will vastly outweigh the impact of these new networks. Despite the current buzz about U.S. carriers’ efforts, the service will primarily, if not exclusively, be available on USB dongles.  Few LTE (News - Alert) devices will be available for consumers before the end of the year.

Want to learn more about M2M technologies? Then be sure to check out the M2M Evolution conference, collocated with TMC’s (News - Alert) ITEXPO East, taking place Feb 2-4, 2011, in Miami. The M2M Evolution Conference is for those industry professionals interested in capitalizing on a rapidly growing segment of the telecom industry. The M2M Evolution Conference embraces the any-to-any strategy of the Internet today. Co-sponsored by TMC Partner Crossfire Media, it showcases the solutions, and examines the data strategies and technological requirements that enterprises and carriers need to capitalize on a market segment that is estimated to grow to $300 Billion in the year ahead. To register, click here.

(source: http://m2m.tmcnet.com/topics/m2mevolution/articles/138262-m2m-near-field-communications-finally-matters-says-forrester.htm)