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Mobile phone industry predictions for 2014 |
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#1 |
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: London, UK
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Mobile phone industry predictions for 2014
So, another year ends (shortly) and a new one begins.
What will we see on this forum more of than last year? What big changes do you think we'll see? What new tech will we see and what will we see less of? Do you think we'll see new comers enter the mobile market or will we see lots of companies leave. Post your predictions here! Here are some of mine- -O2 will hit over 50% smartphone penetration -The majority of content in this forum will be about 4G. -Another major mobile manufacturer will be bought out or merge in 2014. -Windows phone will become popular on mobile/tablet devices. Increase market share to over 5%+ per quarter. -Blackberry becomes a services only company. -Galaxy S5 will not sell as well as the Galaxy S4. However, Samsung will remain the number 1 selling manufacturer. -Samsung Youm phones will release in the UK. -LG will become a big player in the mobile market again. -Chinese phone manufacturers start to go global in a big way (Oppo/Xiaomi etc..) -Mediatek becomes a huge player in budget mobile devices. -Mediatek to release integrated 4G LTE Modem. -2G phones will still be sold by major networks on pay as you go. -Amazon to enter mobile market. -EE will have 4G in every city next year. -EE and Three will be the first to adopt VoLTE. -EE will continue to have the fastest and largest 4G network in the UK. -European roaming becomes cheaper. -O2 launch 3G in more than 10 cities Feel free to post about any aspect of the mobile world from manufacturers to networks etc... |
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#2 |
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Join Date: Mar 2009
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Vodafone and O2 will massively improve 3G and 4G coverage but will continue to offer smaller allowances
Telefonica Europe (all the O2 brand networks) will be sold to Hutchison Whampoa, O2 and Three will remain separate brands. giffgaff and Telefonica Digital will not be part of the sale. Data prices rise EU roaming rates completely ended in summer VoLTE introduced by Three and EE late in the year Three and EE launch rural 4G on 800Mhz and offer bigger data packages to attract rural broadband customers |
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#3 |
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Join Date: Jan 2007
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-EE will cease to have the fastest and largest 4G network in the UK.
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#4 |
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Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: The wilds of West Tyrone
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EE
* Will not quite reach 98% of the UK population with 4G coverage by the end of 2014, but will be reasonably close (over 90%, maybe 95%). * Will start using their 2600MHz FDD spectrum in some major urban areas to increase outdoor capacity and also for indoor picocells. * Announce a plan to shut down it's 2G 1800MHz network by the end of 2017 to release more spectrum for 4G services, with urban areas already well covered by 3G & 4G first reduced to a "skeleton" low capacity 2G service with rural areas still to get 3G and/or 4G upgraded before an eventual switch-off so that 3G & 4G coverage will match current 2G coverage. Refusenik customers still with 2G only phones who have been long-term Orange & T-Mobile customers will be given incentives to upgrade their handset. * Possibility of looking to wind down the Orange & T-Mobile brands in the UK by the end of 2015, using EE only in the future. O2 * Smartphone share of its customer base will hit at least 55% by the end of the year. * 3G (mostly 900MHz) & 4G coverage to increase to over 90% and 66% of the UK population respectively. * Despite rumours of a takeover bid, the company will still remain in Telefonica's hands by the end of the year. Vodafone * Will pursue an aggressive 4G rollout in the 800 & 2600MHz bands to at least match O2's population coverage. * An improvement will continue to be made in their 3G service in the 900MHz band, especially in areas which will also get 4G. * Announcement of a major media tie-up for their pay monthly subscribers. * An announcement that they plan to enter the landline broadband market through Cable & Wireless' LLU network with plans to expand into more exchanges in the next few years. 3 * 4G service will be rolled out across the UK as planned but will hit some teething problems regarding capacity in some places. * 3G coverage will increase from 97% of the UK population in 2013 to at least 98.5% by improving its coverage in Scotland & Wales as part of MBNL. Included with this will be the installation of 800MHz 4G equipment to service rural parts. * "Feel At Home" will be extended to include all of the EU, Norway & Switzerland from the summer. * The launch of a 3G/4G mobile broadband product with a higher data cap than the current 15GB per month, possibly 30 or even 60GB. * The 2G fallback on the Orange network, which 3 itself no longer publicises, will continue to shrink with an aim of all fallback being removed by the end of 2015. Other * BT will start using the 2.6GHz spectrum they won in the auction in 2013, for corporate & business mobile/portable data use in urban areas, while in rural areas will be for fixed data use in areas which are either too cost prohibitive to upgrade roadside cabinets or where upgrading them would not significantly benefit customers (e.g. distance from the cabinet). * BT will also start an MVNO service for it's phone/broadband/TV customers after its deal with EE. * 2.3 & 3.5 GHz spectrum auction will take place - O2 and 3 will get 2.3GHz TDD spectrum while Vodafone and another entrant will get some of the 3.5GHz spectrum, but not all of that band will be sold. * giffgaff will be absorbed into the O2 family in a similar fashion to Geine a decade ago where it will carry the O2 branding as part of a Telefonica plan to compete with 3's 3-2-1 PAYG offer. * Sky will announce it intends to run an MVNO network to offer customers a quad-play service to compete with BT, Virgin and TalkTalk. |
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#5 |
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: London, UK
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Quote:
Awesome post!
![]() EE- -EE will hit over 90%+ 4G coverage by the end of 2014 -EE will be the first network to roll out VoLTE in 2014. -EE Will remain the UK's largest and fastest 4G network in the UK -EE will start using 2600 to increase capacity in cities. -EE will complete their network optimisation scheme and have 19,000 2G/3G masts by the end of 2014. -EE will have over 2 million customers by this time next year. -EE will cover all cities with 4G in 2014. -EE will launch a Voice over Wi-Fi app in 2014 before the end of Q2 2014. -EE will improve in their customer service ratings but still be ranked behind the others. -EE cash on tap will be used for targetted ads and location based analytics. -Virgin Mobile will launch a consumer 4G service in 2014 along with other MVNO's. -EE will have over 30 MVNO partnerships by the end of 2014. -EE will introduce new 4G media services to compete with Vodafone. -EE will introduce new 4G roaming plans for it's own customers going abroad. -EE will introduce new 4G price plans with less than Unlimited minutes. -EE will change their phone unlocking policy to allow for faster unlocks. Three- -Three will announce they have achieved their target of 90% DC-HSPA+ coverage at the end of 2013. -Three will have over 1.6m 4G ready customers by the end of Q1 2014. -Three will launch 4G for consumers mid January. -Three will have the fastest roll out of 4G (in the first year) and hit over 85%+ outdoor coverage + over 160 towns and cities by the end of 2014. -Three will add an additional 4,000 3G sites in 2014. -Three will look to compete with EE on the MBB side with a 60GB MBB tariff + 4G dongles -Three will introduce new price plans by the end of Q1 2014 -Three will look to compete with EE on price plans by offering services similar to EE such as Visual Voicemail, Mobile wallet (cash on tap), Insurance (clone phone) and London Underground Wi-Fi/Wi-Fi hotspots. Thus providing better value for money with their all inclusive plans. -Three will expand feel at home to major European holiday destinations before the end of Q2 2014. -Three will roll out 800Mhz in rural areas and VoLTE in 2014. -Three will be one of the bidders in the 2300 auction. -Three will launch a Voice over Wi-Fi app at the end of Q1/beginning of Q2 2014. -Three will have 10 million total customers by the end of 2014 (current number is 9.2m) -Three will look to compete with other networks by offering their own trade in/EE Swap service. Lets see how many of these i get right. |
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#6 |
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Join Date: Jun 2008
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No life's still having android vs ios willy waving arguments.
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#7 |
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Join Date: Oct 2010
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Motorola will go from strength to strength if they continue to bring out models like the Moto G.
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#8 |
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Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: United Kingdom
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Quote:
* An announcement that they plan to enter the landline broadband market through Cable & Wireless' LLU network with plans to expand into more exchanges in the next few years.
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#9 |
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Join Date: Aug 2009
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I do enjoy these threads, a few of my predictions came true last time, hopefully it will be another interesting year for mobile.
- Quad core devices will officially become "mid-range" - Windows Phone will start to see more success in the low/mid-range market, will absorb market-share left behind by Blackberry - Motorola will attempt a full return to the European market with mixed results. The year will present several challenges for them which may or may not be overcome - Apple will try again to break into the Chinese market with new iPhone variants possibly along with it - HTC will continue to struggle and rumours of acquisition, potentially by Google or Microsoft will start - Microsoft will try to lure more OEMs to Windows Phone in an attempt to drive growth, by any means necessary - Huawei will cement its place as a major Android manufacturer - Apple will lose its one remaining USP, apps, to Android, developers start to follow - Google Play will become a much stronger force in the app and music market - NFC will see larger steps taken for wider use worldwide in retail and mobile banking - BlackBerry will NOT close its hardware division and will try to break into emerging markets - Android growth will start to plateau and Google will begin to focus on streamlining their services for the platform to stop Android fork popularity - Samsung/Google tensions will continue, Samsung will launch more than one flagship range |
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#10 |
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Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Manchester
Posts: 1,114
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Quote:
Some interesting observations and predictions there. I'm inclined to agree with about 90% of them. I'm going to make some of my own predictions for the networks below.
EE- -EE will hit over 90%+ 4G coverage by the end of 2014 -EE will be the first network to roll out VoLTE in 2014. -EE Will remain the UK's largest and fastest 4G network in the UK -EE will start using 2600 to increase capacity in cities. -EE will complete their network optimisation scheme and have 19,000 2G/3G masts by the end of 2014. -EE will have over 2 million customers by this time next year. -EE will cover all cities with 4G in 2014. -EE will launch a Voice over Wi-Fi app in 2014 before the end of Q2 2014. -EE will improve in their customer service ratings but still be ranked behind the others. -EE cash on tap will be used for targetted ads and location based analytics. -Virgin Mobile will launch a consumer 4G service in 2014 along with other MVNO's. -EE will have over 30 MVNO partnerships by the end of 2014. -EE will introduce new 4G media services to compete with Vodafone. -EE will introduce new 4G roaming plans for it's own customers going abroad. -EE will introduce new 4G price plans with less than Unlimited minutes. -EE will change their phone unlocking policy to allow for faster unlocks. Three- -Three will announce they have achieved their target of 90% DC-HSPA+ coverage at the end of 2013. -Three will have over 1.6m 4G ready customers by the end of Q1 2014. -Three will launch 4G for consumers mid January. -Three will have the fastest roll out of 4G (in the first year) and hit over 85%+ outdoor coverage + over 160 towns and cities by the end of 2014. -Three will add an additional 4,000 3G sites in 2014. -Three will look to compete with EE on the MBB side with a 60GB MBB tariff + 4G dongles -Three will introduce new price plans by the end of Q1 2014 -Three will look to compete with EE on price plans by offering services similar to EE such as Visual Voicemail, Mobile wallet (cash on tap), Insurance (clone phone) and London Underground Wi-Fi/Wi-Fi hotspots. Thus providing better value for money with their all inclusive plans. -Three will expand feel at home to major European holiday destinations before the end of Q2 2014. -Three will roll out 800Mhz in rural areas and VoLTE in 2014. -Three will be one of the bidders in the 2300 auction. -Three will launch a Voice over Wi-Fi app at the end of Q1/beginning of Q2 2014. -Three will have 10 million total customers by the end of 2014 (current number is 9.2m) -Three will look to compete with other networks by offering their own trade in/EE Swap service. Lets see how many of these i get right. |
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#11 |
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For me, EE getting to 90% 4G, rolling out 800Mhz rural and having something like a 100GB for 50 quid plan would do me nicely!
I could actually get a signal on an upstairs indoor router then! : ) |
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#12 |
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Join Date: Jan 2012
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Something similar to visual voicemail or actual visual voicemail for iPhone?
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#13 |
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Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: North West
Posts: 4,884
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Hmm I like this kind of thread
![]() EE [LIST][*]They will further expand their network to reach 90% outdoor coverage. [*]As a result of the investment in 4G I believe EE will eventually attract a higher complaints ration regarding dropped/failec calls. [*]EE will still be up for sale, I suspect it will be bought by AT&T who are on the hunt for a major european acquisition as EE has good growth prospects. The 4G roaming agreement is just the start. [*]EE will continue to struggle to grow its broadband user base, still fighting the legacy left by Orange. [*]Customer service will fall somewhat as the company continues to be aggressive in migrating users over to 4G. [*]There will be further price plan changes coming in March as new phone models launch. [*]EE will actually start to slow over the next 12 months due to the oncoming competition from the other 3 networks. Its 12 month headstart will be largely negated by an aggressive 4G rollout from their competitors.[/LIST] Three[LIST][*]They will be the only network that shows reduction in churn and also show significant net growth. [*]Their 4G roll out though aggressive will probably reach 60% by years end. [*]A multilateral strategy will be implemented, increase ARPU but also offering a wider choice of value added content to the consumer. [*]They will increase their profitability substantially, further increase the gaze of its parent company. [*]Operationally I would expect Three UK and Eire will begin to merge, synergies and effiency savings will be found. [*]Once 4G does launch I would expect to see a marketing drive like nothing witnessed from the company, expect more Dancing pony. [*]Price plan changes should happen around March/April I suspect the focus to be on media content and partners. [*]Finally Three may yet enter the Home Broadband Market.[/LIST] Vodafone [LIST][*]Vodafones yearly network spend will dwarf that of any other rival. [*]They will further turn Data into a revenue driver, supported by Data Test Drive. [*]Visual Voicemail will launch for supported handsets. [*]Vodafone will enter the home broadband market be it alone or through a BskyB partnership acquisition. [*]In an attempt to take back some of the revenue from the official Apps stores, they will launch a low range handset with its own fork of android. [*]Vodafone will eliminate roaming charges for all EU countries and Worldwide where it has a commercial presence. [*]It will begin to get more aggressive in the PAYG market by offering substantial data bundles which outstrip the apparent market leader (EE). [*]Vodafone will have a new Chairman/CEO by Q4. [*]Vodafone will attempt further media based aquisitions as it starts to make original content. I would not be surprised if it bids for exclusive sporting/movie rights or strike a partnership with NEtflix or Lovefilm. [*]Vodafone will announce a 4G roaming partnership with Verizon wireless. [*]Vodafone will gain a foothold in China through a partnership of sorts with one of the state owned enterprises. [*]In order to streamline the business and make more profitable it will dispose of some eastern and southern European assets that aren't strategic going forward. [*]Vodafone will probably come out of the next auction round doing so so.[/LIST] O2[LIST][*]The Vodafone partnership will begin to bare fruits, as avg network speed will increase substantially. [*]If not EE then O2 will likely be disposed of by the parent company, to fund the German acquisition. [*]It will continue to suffer lower growth and ARPU as it struggles to convince more people to pay for faster but not necessarily larger data allowances. [*]It will be the first of the big 3 to move towards standard 4G ready tariffs thereby eliminating 3G only options. [*]It will offer something similar to the Three Like Home option. [*]As the network is modernised it will finally support delivery notifications (industry standards based). [*]O2 will begin to get more aggressive in the SMB and B2B arena by competing with Vodafone for large private and public sector contracts. [*]O2 will absorb the GiffGaff brand. [*]A new payg proposition will launch by Q2, as new handsets hit the market and 4G rollout matures. [*]They will be the network with the largest churn in Q3.[/LIST] |
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#14 |
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[*]As the network is modernised it will finally support delivery notifications (industry standards based).
Yes, indeed, one long-running, major, yet frequently overlooked flaw on the O2 network... |
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#15 |
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Lol!
Yes, indeed, one long-running, major, yet frequently overlooked flaw on the O2 network... |
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#16 |
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Join Date: Jan 2007
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Are they "needed"? No. Useful sometimes? Yes.
Just like most days, I find 4G isn't "needed" but once in a while it saves me hours. |
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#17 |
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EE [*]As a result of the investment in 4G I believe EE will eventually attract a higher complaints ration regarding dropped/failec calls. Three[*]Their 4G roll out though aggressive will probably reach 60% by years end. |
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#18 |
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Join Date: Jan 2007
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Seeing they have a pretty low dropped call rate right now and new equipment will only improve
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#19 |
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Funny that, then, given that both OFCOM and the Guardian show they have by far the highest ration of complaints.
* I predict in 2014 that O2 will keep its famously awful voice quality. I cannot understand why anyone would buy an O2 device for a phone, people always sound distorted. |
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#20 |
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Seeing they have a pretty low dropped call rate right now and new equipment will only improve this I can't see that happening and as for Three 4G coverage try more like 80 odd %...
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#21 |
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Join Date: Mar 2013
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I thought I read previously that O2, Vodafone and 3 4G services wouldn't be available over here until 2015? Surely 80% 4G coverage would involve NI being involved also?
If it was geographical coverage you probably would struggle without NI but population coverage you certainly wouldn't. If NI does get 4G on Three expect it Q4 of this year sadly NI does get forgotten about a lot but it really is not a very populated place for instance Manchester has over a quarter of the population of the entire of NI. |
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#22 |
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Join Date: Jan 2012
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Hmm I like this kind of thread
![]() EE [LIST][*]As a result of the investment in 4G I believe EE will eventually attract a higher complaints ration regarding dropped/failec calls. [*]Customer service will fall somewhat as the company continues to be aggressive in migrating users over to 4G. Quote:
Three[LIST][*]Their 4G roll out though aggressive will probably reach 60% by years end.
[*]Once 4G does launch I would expect to see a marketing drive like nothing witnessed from the company, expect more Dancing pony. [*]Price plan changes should happen around March/April I suspect the focus to be on media content and partners. [*]Finally Three may yet enter the Home Broadband Market.[/LIST] Quote:
Seeing they have a pretty low dropped call rate right now and new equipment will only improve this I can't see that happening and as for Three 4G coverage try more like 80 odd %...
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Surely 80% 4G coverage would involve NI being involved also?
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#23 |
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I thought I read previously that O2, Vodafone and 3 4G services wouldn't be available over here until 2015? Surely 80% 4G coverage would involve NI being involved also?
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#24 |
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Join Date: Mar 2013
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The population of NI makes up under 3% of the UK population, so really insignificant when talking about figures for the whole of the UK
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#25 |
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Join Date: Jan 2007
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Cover everyone in England alone and you've already got 85% of the UK population. But that'd require 100% coverage in England.
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