According to Strategy Analytics, mobile data subscriptions on tablets will more than double to 200 million from 2015 to 2021.
Globally, telecom operators will be adding more than 100 million wireless connections on cellular enabled tablets through 2021. By 2021 tablets will only account for 2 per cent of total mobile subscriptions. Further, shared data plans and lower cost SIM-only tariffs will help increase the share of tablets supporting data plans to 19 per cent by 2021.
The reaesrch firm underlines that the United States is a leading market for tablet subscriptions, with top two operators Verizon Wireless and AT&T driving strong quarterly tablet net additions with their shared data plans. The SoftBank-owned Sprint, which has achieved tablet penetration nearly on par with Verizon Wireless and AT&T, is focusing on equipment installment plans and leasing plans, and offers all-in pricing bundling a tablet with a smartphone and service for both with a simple monthly price. Meanwhile, MTS in Russia and Vodacom in South Africa are driving growth in tablet market by offering users their own-branded tablets; whereas Vodacom bundles its own-branded tablet with content for children.
