Cellular modem sales rocket

An increasing number of consumers are turning to cellular modems as they seek to take advantage of the flexibility offered by wireless mobile broadband, according to a new study.

Data published by ABI Research suggests that advances in 3G network coverage led to an annual 300 per cent rise in the sales of PC Cards, Express Cards, USB modems, embedded modems and 3G/Wi-Fi routers last year.

Growing demand for the technology is expected to push shipments of cellular modems past 200 million units by 2013.

"2007 saw cellular modems established as an important connectivity technology for operators and mobile customers," said ABI principal analyst Dan Shey.

A recent report by Dutch communications analyst firm Telecompaper claims that the mobile broadband market could expand three fold by 2012.

It also suggests that overall demand for cellular modems will achieve a compound annual growth rate of 32 per cent over the next five years.