The enterprise/consumer lines are blurring

The enterprise/consumer lines are blurring

In less than two weeks, the wireless industry will find itself trekking out to Las Vegas for the twice-annual pilgrimage that is CTIA. While the fall show is technically the "IT" show, the boundary on which that distinction was based has long since been abandoned, as the line between the enterprise user and the consumer increasingly blurs. In an age when iPhones hook up to Microsoft Exchange Servers and BlackBerrys play MP3s, it no longer makes sense to view the enterprise and the consumer markets separately, as they have traditionally been seen.

So, what can we expect to see in terms of enterprise mobility at this year's spring show? A quick look at the list of keynote speakers turns up a few leads. First there's Robert Bach, President of Microsoft's Entertainment & Devices division. While it's possible that he'll focus on the entertainment side of the equation, it would be unlike Microsoft to miss an opportunity to make a major announcement regarding enterprise mobility at CTIA. After all, we all remember what happened the last time Microsoft keynoted CTIA.

On the carrier side, the stage seems set for exciting announcements as well. I'll bet dollars to donuts that Sprint Nextel President and CEO Dan Hesse will muse on the company's forthcoming XOHM WiMAX network, as Sprint Nextel senior vice president Atish Gude did last fall. Verizon Wireless President and CEO Lowell McAdam's intentions, however, are a bit harder to peg. While a major announcement doesn't seem too likely, there's always the outside chance that the company could choose to unveil a major launch onstage. At the very least, McAdam should dish out a bit more information on his company's open development initiative, which could have huge repercussions for the enterprise.

Regardless, it should be an interesting show for wireless industry folks of all stripes. Read on for more previews, predictions and early impressions and be sure to tune in for our live CTIA coverage, starting on April 1st. - Mehan

P.S. Fierce will once again host its popular networking party. Join us on April 1 from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. at Rain at The Palm in Las Vegas. RSVP here.