The association published results of a survey conducted with Microsoft that shows a market worth US$50 billion (A$56 billion) in 2008 for notebook PCs in the high growth, mass market US$500 – US$1,000 price-range with built-in mobile broadband.
GSMA says the results suggest PC makers had not yet hit the configuration/price sweet spot in the mobile broadband market, and that there remains a lot of latent demand.
It reveals a gap of up to 46.5 million units between recent industry analyst forecasts and the new analysis, suggesting that PC manufacturers have yet to deliver the right mobile broadband PCs - bundled with pre-configured mobile connectivity - to appeal to mass market PC buyers.
The market research, by Pyramid Research, involved more than 12,000 consumer interviews across 13 countries, with input from notebook manufacturers, component companies and chip set suppliers as well as more than 200 field trials.
“With the right form factor, price and ‘out-of-the-box’ connectivity, the research has unearthed substantial demand for mobile broadband embedded notebooks that is not yet being met,” said GSMA chief executive officer Rob Conway.
“Now that we understand the market potential and consumers’ requirements, we are pleased to communicate the findings to the broader industry eco-system,” Mr Conway said.
Leading PC manufacturers, including Asus, Dell, Fujitsu Siemens, Lenovo, Twinhead and Vestel have welcomed the research report and expressed interest in working with mobile operators and the GSMA to fulfil this market demand.
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