Pyramid Research forecasts that the mobile broadband market worldwide will reach 1 billion connections during 2012, segmented by 3G and 4G network technologies. Mobile operators around the world will invest billions in the spectrum and network infrastructure to deploy 4G networks, but are struggling to keep pace with 3G data traffic growth driven by the use of smartphones and USB dongles, as well as bandwidth-intensive video content and applications.

These challenges require a transaction-based business case that allows them to more fully monetize the broadband traffic generated by mobile Internet services, content, and applications, according to a special report from Heavy Reading and Pyramid Research.

"Operators planning to deploy 4G networks face many technical, strategic, and business complexities in how to manage their network evolution and critical questions on how to get a return on their investments," says Berge Ayvazian, Senior Consultant, Heavy Reading, and Director, 4G Consulting Practice.