Apple, Google, Sprint Among Winners in Yankee`s 2011 4G Predictions

Similar to how consumer-owned smartphones first made their way into enterprises, users buying 4G adapters will demonstrate the case for 4G business applications. Pictured is the LG VL600 4G modem that Verizon introduced with its LTE 4G service.

Personal WiFi hotspots, known as MiFi, enable multidevice users to deal with just one mobile device plan. When the hotspot is 4G, everything will additionally speed up. Pictured here is AT&T's $50 Mobile Hotspot MiFi for its 3G network.

Matter of long-term concern

A matter of "long-term concern," says Yankee, "is the extent to which T-Mobile, Clearwire, Sprint and Verizon Wireless are using the 4G moniker as a marketing tool." Recently, T-Mobile surprised people by advertising its HSPA+ network as 4G.

Speeding to deployment, some security corners may be cut that will cost operators in the long-term. AT&T's struggle, says Yankee, is "particularly poignant," as it works to rollout 4G during supporting its iPhone clients on 3G.

The end of 2011

By the end of 2011, 4G users are expected to spend more than 36 minutes a day browsing the mobile Web. The new Microsoft ad campaign for its Windows Phone 7 phones, features the tag line: "It's time for a phone to save us from our phones." Pictured: the WP7-running Dell Venue Pro.

Unfortunately for operators, says Yankee, "Apple and Google own the most popular mobile Web browsers and are so then-positioned to optimize these for app discovery and search." Pictured is Apple's new store in Shanghai, China.

In theory, the 4G MVNO business should be a successful one, says Yankee, "however it won't be." To succeed, the MVNO can't compete with its host in any meaningful way. The Kyocera Loft, pictured, is offered by the MVNO Virgin Mobile.

Goodbye, flat rates.  In 2011, 4G mobile data plans are expected to be tiered. Where the business model supports it, now—as with the Amazon Kindle—connectivity will come as a built-in standard.

Most operators are however planning their 4G networks and won't support VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) on 4G in the short-term. Only T-Mobile and other operators using HSPA+ offer voice support on their "4G" networks. The new T-Mobile myTouch 4G is pictured.