Ericsson releases its second Traffic and Market Report - "On the Pulse of the Networked Society," revealing that by 2017, 85 percent of the world's population will have 3G coverage. According to the report, 50 percent of the world's population will be covered by 4G in 2017 and Smartphone subscriptions expected to reach 3 billion in 2017.

NSR’s Mobile Satellite Services report projects the sector will sustain its current robust growth by serving users with a mix of MSS, FSS and HTS-based solutions. Despite recent results that were less than stellar in the satellite handheld business, the mobile satellite market will reach milestones such as 1 million in-service units for the land-mobile sector and impressive growth for maritime and aeronautical service over the next ten years.

The average American watches nearly five hours of video each day, 98 percent of which they watch on a traditional TV set, according to the Nielsen Cross-Platform Report, released today. Although this ratio is less than it was just a few years ago, and continues to change, the fact remains that Americans are not turning off. They are shifting to new technologies and devices that make it easier for them to watch the video they want, whenever and wherever they want.

Approximately 25 percent of the TV sets shipped globally in 2011 were internet-connected, a figure forecasted to approach 70 percent of total TV shipments during 2016, resulting in more than $117 billion in revenues, according to a new report by IMS Research.

According to international research firm Parks Associates, 59% of U.S. broadband households want access to on-demand YouTube content through their pay-TV service, with the growing number of smart TVs and connected devices driving interest in online video options.

According to leading broadband analyst firm Point Topic, global IPTV subscriptions closed in on 60 million at the end of 2011, with the last yearly quarter witnessing the biggest three month increase in subscribers yet. “The year end is often the strong quarter but in combination with the global recovery in consumer spending and the will and technical ability to deliver a service, IPTV is really starting to find the sweet spot,” comments Oliver Johnson, CEO of Point Topic.

At least 21% of US households (approximately 27 million) have either an Internet-ready TV, game console, standalone Blu-ray player, and/or smart set-top box connected to their home network. Of these four device categories, the game console is the most used device, reaching over 80% of these connected TV households, followed by Internet TVs (27%), standalone Blu-ray players (24%), and smart set-top boxes (13%).

International Datacasting Corporation (TSX:IDC), aannounced results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year-end periods ended January 31, 2012. Revenue decreased 44% in the fourth quarter versus the same quarter in 2011, to $6.4 million, and EBITDAdecreased to a loss of $1.5 million. Excluding the impact of changes in foreign exchange from the strengthening of the Canadian dollar, IDC's revenues decreased by 45% in fourth quarter fiscal 2012 versus the same fiscal quarter in 2011.

Smartphones and media tablets continue to capture headlines while consumer electronic devices continue to see healthy interest from consumers. 25% of US respondents to ABI Research’s Technology Barometer survey said they intend to purchase a smartphone during the first half of 2012 - a percentage equaled by HDTVs. Additionally, more respondents intend to purchase Blu-ray players (17%) and game consoles (18%), rather than media tablets (16%).

The market for RFID transponders, readers, software, and services will generate $70.5 billion from 2012 to the end of 2017. The market was boosted by a growth of $900 million in 2011 and the market is expected to grow 20% YOY per annum. Government, retail, and transportation and logistics have been identified as the most valuable sectors, accounting for 60% of accumulated revenue over the next five years.