CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, May 21 /PRNewswire/ --

Increased sales of netbooks over the next three to five years will result
in higher demand for mobile broadband services, driven by the emerging trend
of bundling the low-end computers with mobile data services from specific
network operators, according to the latest report by Pyramid Research
(www.pyr.com), the telecom research arm of the Light Reading Communications
Network (www.lightreading.com).

Mobile Broadband for the Masses: The Case for Bundled Netbooks
analyzes the business case behind bundling netbooks with broadband access for
both operators and OEMs, discusses key performance indicators delivered by
those operators that have embraced the use of netbooks, and assesses the
value they have been able to extract from netbook sales. This 54-page report
looks at the early examples of netbook bundles targeting students and
examines the potential for netbook bundle sales in the markets of Brazil,
Russia, India, and China. Download an excerpt of this report here:
http://www.pyr.com/downloads.htm?id=1&sc=PR052109_RPNTBKS

Netbooks are just beginning to gain market traction; about 13
million were sold worldwide in 2008, with 10 million of those sales coming in
the second half of the year, global economic crisis notwithstanding, notes
Cristiano Laux, Manager of Consulting at Pyramid Research and coauthor of the
report. "Bundles of these machines with Internet access are set to become a
bread-and-butter offering for operators in developed and emerging markets
alike, exceeding sales of notebook computers in the operator channel by
2010," says Laux.

While many operators are already supporting the business case for
netbook bundles, OEMs are not happy about the downward pressure on laptop
prices and the cannibalization that netbooks may have on the sales of
high-end notebooks. "For now, they have agreed to live with the threat,
fearing that without netbooks, the recession would hit computer sales even
more than it has done already," Laux says.

Pyramid recommends that OEMs and broadband operators do what they
can to support netbook sales. "There is growing evidence that netbooks are
catching on with the under-21 crowd; if that trend develops, the adoption
rate for netbooks could accelerate even more, which means these cheap and
approachable devices could have a huge impact on how network operators make
money off their services," explains Laux. Netbooks will also help accelerate
mobile broadband adoption among low-income customers and in emerging markets.
"In the lower-income countries of Asia/Pacific, the Middle East, Africa,
Eastern Europe, and Latin America, most of the incremental impact from
netbook sales will be seen only when the price of mobile PCs declines below
US$350, but this is expected to happen in late 2009, with mass-market 
shipments picking up during 2010," he says.

Mobile Broadband for the Masses: The Case for Bundled Netbooks is part of
Pyramid's research report series. A blend of primary research and qualitative
analysis, Pyramid's research reports offer comprehensive coverage of the
fixed and mobile communications space and enable those in the communications
industry to stay ahead of changing market dynamics.

Download an excerpt of this report here:
http://www.pyr.com/downloads.htm?id=1&sc=PR052109_RPNTBKS

Mobile Broadband for the Masses: The Case for Bundled Netbooks is priced
at US$2490 and can be purchased online here:
http://www.pyramidresearch.com/store/RPMOBILEBROADBAND0905.htm?sc=PR052109_RP
NTBKS or through Dave Williams via email at dave.williams@pyr.com or
telephone at +1-858-485-8870.

About Pyramid Research

Pyramid Research (www.pyr.com) offers practical solutions to the complex
demands our clients face in the telecommunications, media and technology
industries. Our analysis is uniquely positioned at the intersection of
emerging markets, emerging technologies and emerging business models, powered
by the bottom-up methodology of our market forecasts for over 100 countries-a
distinction that has remained unmatched for more than 25 years. As the
telecom research arm of the Light Reading Communications Network, Pyramid
Research works with Heavy Reading, providing the communications industry's
most comprehensive market data, trusted research and insightful technology
analysis.

About Light Reading

Founded in 2000, Light Reading (www.lightreading.com) is the leading
online media, research, and focused event company serving the US$3 trillion
worldwide communications market. Lightreading.com is the ultimate source for
technology and financial analysis of the communications industry, leading the
media sector in terms of traffic, content, and reputation. Light Reading's
research arms, Heavy Reading and Pyramid Research, provide the most
comprehensive communications research, market data, and technology analysis
in close to 100 markets around the world. Light Reading produces nearly 20
targeted communications events including TelcoTV, Ethernet Expo New York and
Ethernet Expo London, The Tower Summit @ CTIA, and Optical Expo, as well as
focused one-day events tailored for cable, mobile, and wireline executives.
Light Reading was acquired by United Business Media in August 2005 and
operates as a unit of TechWeb.

About TechWeb

TechWeb (http://techweb.com/aboutus), the global leader in business
technology media, is an innovative business focused on serving the needs of
technology decision-makers and marketers worldwide. TechWeb produces the most
respected and consumed media brands in the business technology market. Today,
more than 13.3 million* business technology professionals actively engage in
our communities created around our global face-to-face events, Interop, Web
2.0, Black Hat, and VoiceCon; online resources such as the TechWeb Network,
Light Reading, Intelligent Enterprise, InformationWeek.com, bMighty.com, and
The Financial Technology Network; and the market leading, award-winning
InformationWeek, TechNet Magazine, MSDN Magazine, and Wall Street &
Technology magazines. TechWeb also provides end-to-end services including
next-generation performance marketing, integrated media, research, and
analyst services. TechWeb is a division of United Business Media, a global
provider of news distribution and specialist information services with a
market capitalization of more than US$2.5 billion.

*13.3 million business decision-makers: based on number of monthly
connections

About United Business Media Limited

UBM (UBM.L) focuses on two principal activities: worldwide information
distribution, targeting and monitoring; and, the development and monetization
of B2B communities and markets. UBM's businesses inform markets and serve
professional commercial communities -- from doctors to game developers, from
journalists to jewelry traders, from farmers to pharmacists -- with
integrated events, online, print and business information products. Our 6,500
staff in more than 30 countries are organized into specialist teams that
serve these communities, bringing buyers and sellers together, helping them
to do business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently. For
more information, go to http://www.unitedbusinessmedia.com.

Press contact:
    Jennifer Baker
    +1-617-871-1910
    jbaker@pyr.com