As 2009 draws to a close, UK-based Juniper Research has drawn up a list of predictions for the coming year, pinpointing the top trends for the mobile and wireless industry for 2010.  

The report looks forward at ten key areas that Juniper Research expects to develop significantly in the coming year. Firstly, soaring levels of data traffic could make 2010 the year in which 3G networks come under heavy strain, largely due to some 33.8m iPhones sold, giving operators a genuine reason to charge premium rates for prioritised traffic.

The top ten wireless predictions are below – more details can be downloaded free from the Juniper Research website. 

1. Mobile data traffic explosion to strain 3G networks, spur data pricing overhaul

2. Mobile ecosystem starts to go green

3. Mobile heads for the cloud

4. New category of smartbooks to emerge

5. Apps stores all round

6. Mobile social networking to integrate with other applications including m-commerce

7. NFC phones appear in the shops

8. At least ten LTE networks to be launched into service

9. Smartphones to get augmented reality makeover

10. Christmas kindle sales expected to herald the rise of the connected embedded consumer devices