Wireless Data Card Modems: Low Data Caps, High Recurring Costs, Poor Ecomony = No Thanks

Mobile Broadband PC Data Card Subscriber Growth Decelerates in Q4 2008 as Consumers Pull Back on Discretionary Spending

…reports that after 6 consecutive quarters of double digit growth (between 11% and 28%) starting in Q2 2007, sales of 2G/3G data cards slowed to 5% in Q4 2008.

As their report summary notes:

…deceleration in subscriber growth during Q4 2008 coinciding with the economic downturn, an indication that mobile broadband service may still be seen by many as a luxury rather than a necessity

There’s nothing wrong with the cards, of course.