Top Ten Wireless Predictions for 2012

As 2011 draws to a close Juniper Research has drawn up a list of predictions for the coming year, all neatly wrapped up as the top trends for the mobile and wireless industry for 2012. A complimentary report detailing the findings is available to download from the Juniper website today www.juniperresearch.com/whitepapers/top_10_mobile_trends_for_2012

Recession Likely to Hit Smart Device Sales

There is a strong possibility that recessionary conditions will have an adverse impact on smartphone and tablet sales, particularly in the case of unsubsidised devices. Juniper's view is that, given the extent to which smartphones have already become a near "must-have" device, the impact here will be less significant than for tablets, where it may well reduce the extent to which these devices penetrate the wider market, notably across Western Europe. The effect will be most acutely felt in the premium tablet sector, where net device sales could plateau or even decline.

Conversely, the reduction in average purchasing power could conceivably benefit players such as Amazon and ARCHOS, inasmuch as cash-strapped consumers may opt for the lower-priced Kindle Fire or an ARNOVA-branded device rather than the iPad.