Tablets to power growth of mobile broadband market in 2011

Booming sales of tablets in 2011 will help drive a 57.8% increase in shipments of mobile broadband devices that provide high-speed wireless connectivity on the go, according to a new IHS iSuppli Wireless Communications topical report.

Shipments of mobile broadband devices (including tablets, notebook and netbook computers, and e-book readers) are expected to reach 157.9 million units this year, up from 100.1 million in 2010.

Mobile broadband devices also enjoyed 57.4% expansion in 2010. The report says shipments will continue to rise during the next few years but at lower rates, declining to 38.1% in 2012 and gradually trending downward until 11.0% in 2015 to 350.7 million units. The five-year compound annual growth rate, computed from the starting year of 2010, stands at 28.5%.

Within the segment, tablets will represent the fastest-growing mobile broadband device this year with shipments projected to reach 58.9 million units, up by 239.3% from 17.4 million in 2010.

“More than any wireless device, media tablets – exemplified by the best-selling iPad from Apple – appear to be at the forefront in boosting mobile broadband,” said Francis Sideco, principal analyst for wireless research at IHS. “Affecting everything from supply ecosystems to chipset design, to services, applications and business models, tablets are spurring innovation not just in the wireless sector but also across multiple industries.”