US : The growing use of mobile broadband services by handsets, laptops, MIDs, and mobile CE devices will place ever-increasing demands on 3G networks. In the end, 4G networks will be required because people use devices wherever they are.

Meanwhile, one way to reduce the stress on network capacity is through the use of fixed-mobile convergence (FMC), which routes traffic through customers’ wired broadband connections when they are at home. New data from ABI Research suggests that capital expenditure by mobile operators on 4G base station gateways and FMC-related carrier equipment will approach $850 million in 2013.

“FMC is not just about relieving networks’ voice traffic congestion, but data too,” says principal analyst Philip Solis. “3G handsets with Wi-Fi, laptops that often feature cellular connections, the new class of Mobile Internet Devices, and other mobile broadband-enabled consumer electronic products – all add to network load. Operators’ need for FMC and 4G equipment to meet that extra demand creates real opportunities for vendors.”

All these factors mean necessary changes to the mobile network landscape. FMC requires a well-integrated network incorporating unified cross-platform applications.

As femtocells are gradually introduced, they will up the ante as well, becoming embedded as a function in any number of customer premises equipment, from DSL gateways to set-top boxes.

The $850 million capital expenditures on the part of the network operators will be spread between FMC platforms, 4G base stations, and the 4G gateways that aggregate their traffic.

The new ABI Research Brief “Mobile Broadband Needs FMC and 4G” (http://www.abiresearch.com/products/research_brief/Wireless_ Infrastructure_Research_Briefs/116 and http://www.abiresearch.com/products/research_brief/Mobile_ Devices_Market_Update/118) examines mobile device growth and the two solutions that are required – fixed-mobile convergence and the use of 4G networks – and assesses the importance of each. It also discusses the revenue opportunity that will come from convergence gateways, ASN gateways for mobile WiMAX, and SAE gateways for LTE.