The market for 3G PC cards and embedded 3G modems for notebook PCs is set to grow dramatically in 2007. Strategy Analytics says that WLAN's limitations are coming clearly into focus and cost-effective mobile WiMAX is still several years out; that leaves the opportunity for global shipments of 3G/3.5G for PCs to grow handsomely over the next few years. Annual shipments will reach 15m units by 2009, the research company predicts.
And even in the rosiest WiMAX scenario, Strategy Analytics analysts are confident that 3G's long term role as part of a multi-radio, least-cost-routing future is secure as the default subordinate platform to service remote areas outside of cheaper WiMAX or WLAN coverage. This bodes well for 3G in notebooks overall and opens the doors to embedded 3G radio modems as standard equipment over time.