Baseband modem integration into mobile devices will reach 2 billion by 2014 despite market and technical hurdles, according to a recent report by In-Stat. 

Report further states that despite the early lead of WiMAX, LTE is expected to account for over 60% of 4G-enabled mobile devices in 2014.

The road to advance 4G wireless technologies is challenged by a multiple of wireless standards, limited availability of spectrum, constricting business models, as well as a host of other market and industry issues. The new generation of data-centric mobile devices, such as smartphones, netbooks, and tablets, are already straining existing 3G networks. 

According to In-Stat projections:

• The transition to 4G communication standards has begun, albeit slowly, with 3.6% of mobile devices with baseband connectivity expected to be using 4G standards in 2014.
• Despite the early lead of WiMAX, LTE is expected to account for over 60% of 4G-enabled mobile devices in 2014.
• E-Reader
• Integration of baseband solutions is expected to increase, resulting in an 11.0% CAGR of broadband-enabled mobile devices.
• Smartphones and computing devices are the only devices expected to transition to 4G technologies over the next five years.  

Recent In-Stat research, New Baseband Solutions Fuel Mobile Broadband Devices, examines technical and market dynamics surrounding the integration of baseband modems in mobile devices and provides an overview of some of the key merchant market semiconductor vendors.