Who will pay for mobile broadband's 100 million gadgets?

Mobile operators no longer sell 3G data access: it's called 'mobile broadband' these days. But just how much consumers will buy into it is still unclear.

According to analyst house ABI Research, 100 million devices will be mobile broadband-enabled by 2012, including either 3G or WiMax connectivity.

Among the consumer electronics items that could see themselves reborn as mobile broadband-enabled gadgets are digital cameras, media players and handheld games consoles. Some kit makers have already embraced mobile broadband connectivity although activity has largely centred on PCs, with Dell selling laptops with embedded HSDPA and Samsung creating a tablet-phone-media player crossover, the SPH-P9000.

Although in the near future 3G variants will remain dominant, ABI predicts WiMax has the greater long-term potential for long range connectivity. In the US, mobile operator Sprint's decision to champion WiMax will help drive take-up across the pond and see the US keep pace with WiMax demand in countries such as Japan and South Korea.

With a slew of mobile broadband-enabled gadgets on the horizon, the question of who will want to pay for such connectivity remains.

A report from researchers Parks Associates found few consumers are willing to pay an additional premium on their broadband for mobility.

The study showed that in general consumers were unimpressed by the need to spend on mobile broadband, with the UK seemingly the most free with their cash at the prospect. Parks Associates found UK consumers were willing to spend an additional 28 per cent for mobility, compared to US shoppers, who were only prepared to spend an additional six per cent.