4G Apps to Evolve in A Multi-Platform Environment: Maravedis

A new report from Maravedis, which specializes in WiMAX (News - Alert) and broadband wireless market research, reveals that many 4G applications are set to evolve in a multi-platform environment.  

 

The report “Broadband Services and Applications in the 4G Era: Beyond Existing 3G Applications” also finds that an increasingly open network environment and snackable data plans applicable across various device types are key growth drivers in the 4G applications market.

 

“Evolution from 3G to 4G will be stimulated by services offering enhanced quality, requiring increased bandwidth, elevated sophistication of large-scale information provision, and improved customization capabilities to support user demands,” the report said.

 

4G applications will be available across a number of wireless technologies including Long Term Evolution (LTE), Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Ultra Wideband (UWB), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX). A number of devices, including cell phones, laptops, e-readers, digital cameras, tablet PCs, printers and Portable Navigation Devices (PNDs), will be available to support these applications.

 

Julien Blin, a senior analyst and co-author of the report said that 4G applications are likely to be the extended and improved versions of existing 3G services, so a revolution in the 4G space is unlikely.

 

Adlane Fellah, another senior analyst, said that next generation applications such as wireless Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), e-readers apps, mobile IPTV (News - Alert), telematics, M2M apps (e.g. smart grids), and location-aware mobile apps/services embedded with social networking and user-generated content capabilities are likely to become key applications in the upcoming 4G apps space.

 

The report predicts new killer devices in the lines of iPhone 3G S, Palm Pre, G1/G2 (News - Alert) phones, and the Storm in the 4G space to drive adoption of 4G applications and services.

 

The report also finds that mobile app stores are set to become a key distribution channel for upcoming 4G applications. This would benefit carriers largely, especially at a time when disruptive applications like Skype (News - Alert) are threatening carriers' voice ARPUs.

 

However, to achieve this, problems like cross-mobile app store interoperability issues and content discovery issues have to be solved. The report adds that adding peer-to-peer recommendations, location awareness, and enhanced mobile search engines to existing mobile app stores can play a key role in this regard.

 

According to Maravedis (News - Alert), there are several other issues that need to be overcome before the 4G apps market matures. These include handset limitation, the poor user experience on many feature phones, the need for sustainable and profitable 4G business and pricing models, mobile discovery issues, privacy and security issues, increased fragmentation, and the lack of standards.

 

Apart from the above, issues such as low penetration and high cost of data plans and services, and the lack of awareness when it comes to certain mobile data services also demand due attention.