WiMax Reports Archives
ABI Research Tracks US Mobile WiMAX Market as it Moves from Uncertain to Vibrant
July 16, 2007
Just a little over a year ago, most people thought the United States would only see deployments of fixed WiMAX in rural areas with no DSL or cable modem service. During the summer of 2006, however, those who did not see the bigger picture got a reality-check. In July, Clearwire made a firm commitment to shift its proprietary network to mobile WiMAX, receiving investments from Intel and Motorola. Shortly afterwards, Sprint Nextel announced its plans to deploy mobile WiMAX to make use of its extensive 2.5 GHz spectrum, becoming the first major mobile operator to commit to WiMAX.
"Today we are watching major strategic alliances, partnerships, and mergers starting to take place," says ABI Research principal analyst Philip Solis. "DirecTV and EchoStar announced a partnership with Clearwire, allowing Clearwire to bundle broadcast video and – when its network is deployed – provide the DBS companies with a fast, low-latency pipe into the home."
Sprint and Clearwire will at least form a roaming arrangement, if not actually merge in some form. NextWave also has a lot of WiMAX-friendly spectrum, and its NextWave Broadband subsidiary will be selling mobile WiMAX chipsets, helping to enable more WiMAX devices faster, thus increasing the value of the spectrum it holds. In addition, there are many wireless ISPs looking to deploy mobile WiMAX. Horizon Wi-Com, for example, holds 2.3 GHz spectrum that it acquired from Verizon across much of the Northeast.
These market trends and more are discussed in a new ABI Research Brief, "Mobile WiMAX in the United States", which provides detailed analysis of these service providers’ past and present efforts, and future directions. It is included in ABI Research’s Mobile Broadband Research Service, which also contains other Research Briefs, full-length Research Reports, Market Data, ABI Insights and analyst inquiry support.
WiMAX market big enough for large and small players
May 30, 2007
New research shows that the early entrants into the WiMAX market—firms like Alavarion, Aperto, Redline and Airspan—will be able to profit from their jump into an unproven industry, and will not be swallowed up by larger but slower WiMAX players like Motorola Inc. and Nokia Siemens Networks.
"While the early pioneers of WiMAX should lose their market share dominance over the next couple of years, they should continue to grow their revenues, benefiting from the overall growth of the market. These vendors continue to win larger contracts with higher profile service providers," said Daryl Schoolar, an In-Stat analyst.
According to a new study by market-research firm In-Stat, smaller WiMAX competitors still command a majority of the world’s WiMAX market—which, according to In-Stat, comprises around 213,300 subscribers worldwide. And although that market control will eventually slip to larger equipment suppliers, companies like Alavarion, Aperto, Redline, and Airspan will be able to reap their fair share of WiMAX network contracts in the future.
Though still much in its infancy, WiMAX technology has gained a large amount of interest due to its support for high data speeds, and its positioning as a potential competitor to 3G cellular networks.
The WiMAX market in the Untied States gained a major boost when Sprint Nextel Corp. announced plans to build out WiMAX networks in many major cities. The carrier so far has signed equipment-supplier deals with the likes of Motorola and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
Strategy Analytics WiMAX Operator Assessment
March 29, 2007
The Strategy Analytics Broadband Network Strategies analysis of WiMAX providers Clearwire and Towerstream suggests that their recent public offerings—rare among US wireless broadband service providers—are a necessary, but insufficient, step toward market success. The report, "WiMAX Service Providers Go Public: Ready for Prime Time or Looking for a Greater Fool?" notes that both the $600 million Clearwire IPO, and the much smaller $15 million, Towerstream offering, provide much needed expansion capital, yet both companies face extremely challenging business environments.
"The 1990's proved that going public doesn’t necessarily mean you have a great business plan," notes Tom Elliott, Vice President of Applied Analytics and author of the report. "It just means you’ve got someone else's money to back it." He continues, "Clearwire, which primarily serves residential customers, and Towerstream, which focuses on small and medium enterprises, are in very different businesses, but each faces stiff competition both from established access providers and from potential new offerings, such as Sprint Nextel's WiMAX network."
Clearwire has recently expanded into major US markets, after starting out in smaller cities. "The home broadband competition in major metropolitan areas between cable operators and telcos is fierce," says David Mercer, Vice President of the Digital Consumer practice. "Clearwire is going to have to fight to grow its customer base." Towerstream has announced a plan to add two cities a year to its current base of eight, which the report cautions may present a difficult management challenge for a small firm.
Case Study: Hopling Technologies Enhances Metro Mesh
February 16, 2007
Hopling Technologies was created in 2003 by seasoned executives in the Telecom industry, with a vision to become the global leader in wireless mesh network solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Hopling Technologies is thriving in an environment which is a hotbed of networked applications, next-generation Internet and ranked third in global broadband penetration by the ITU .
This marketing driven R&D-centric company has grown rapidly, by following the philosophy that its customers are looking for a solutions partner with a deep understanding of wireless broadband mobility solutions and the practical expertise to optimize their deployment.
Hopling specializes in wireless mesh routing solutions which include indoor and outdoor mesh routers, WiFi and WiMAX access points, gateways, multi-client bridges and a suite of network management solutions all running on Linux.
Hopling Technologies' metropolitan solutions are self-configuring, centrally managed and controlled. Hopling’s wireless mesh multi-hop routing design is based on its HopWARE Mesh Architecture (HMA), which incorporates the sophisticated Hopling Mesh Protocol (HMP) and the unique Hopling Discovery Protocol (HDP) for the 900MHz, 2.4GHZ, 2.5-2.6GHz, 3.3-3.5GHz, 4.9GHz and 5GHz bands. These protocols enable automatic coverage for seamless metropolitan and event-based networks, leveraging the advantages of WiFi such as true mobility, high throughput, and ubiquitous connectivity of client devices.
The Hopling Discovery Protocol (HDP) is a means for its range of products to exchange information, thus enabling a device to configure itself for optimal communication with a neighboring Hopling product.
Another major advantage of the employed "mesh" wireless solution over today's traditional implementations is that the different nodes communicate with each other. The mesh network reconfigures itself when a node is installed or removed. Its mesh routing and hotspot networks provide an advantage over the traditional point-to-point links, in that each node added to the mesh enhances the network as a whole.
Every indoor and outdoor node is capable of relaying traffic coming from any of its neighbor's nodes. By simply adding another node, the range of the wireless mesh network is extended, creating a highly reliable, seamless and ever-increasing broadband network footprint.
These networks offer bandwidth control, roaming, automatic configuration, automatic channel selection, push content functionality, universal access methods, radius services and additional access security. With the self-healing mesh routing algorithms the network has no single point of failure, ensuring a reliable wireless roaming- and VoIP-enabled connection for your customers.
The company’s flexible and reliable solutions are deployed for video surveillance, municipal private networks, VoIP, mobile Wi-Fi broadband solutions, wireless LANs, last-mile wireless access connectivity, mesh backhaul/metropolitan area networks and ad hoc/event-based solutions.
Hopling Technologies’ latest solution set is the recently launched HopMAX product portfolio, which puts the company on the road to fulfilling the potential of new generation WiMAX end-to-end solutions.
To achieve rapid time-to-market and the engineering flexibility it requires, Hopling worked with Fujitsu Microelectronics and its WiMAX SoC as the silicon foundation for its HopMAX base stations, micro base stations and high-end subscriber units. The Fujitsu SoC is also used for Hopling Technologies’ mesh hybrid node system, called the Xnet Raptor-II.
Its first WiMAX products based on IEEE 802.16-2004, the plug & play Linux-based subscriber stations (HopMAX™ 1600 and HopMAX™ 2600) and a mesh-based WiMAX-backbone solution (Xnet Raptor-II hybrid node) will become commercially available in early 2007.The Hopling Mesh Protocol (HMP) will be added as a layer on top of the IEEE 802.16 standard used by the HopMAX™ products.
Hopling also plans to produce a micro base station (HopMAX™ 4600) and base station (HopMAX™ 6600) based on Fujitsu’s upcoming mobile WiMAX SoC. These IEEE 802.16e base station systems, micro base stations and high-end subscriber stations will become commercially available in 2008. WiMAX Forum lab certification and limited production shipments for these systems will start in the second quarter of 2008. HopWARE Mesh Architecture (HMA) will be added later as a layer on top of the IEEE 802.16 standard used by the HopMAX™ products.
Hopling Technologies is an active member of the WiMAX Forum envisioning the next wave of wireless access -personal broadband- based on the IEEE 802.16 standards.
Hopling Technologies has deployed systems for more than 30 service providers in seven countries. Among its prominent customers are the KPN, the national operator in the Netherlands, the National Dutch Rail Authority, which operates 5GHz wireless mesh at 20 rail stations and hotspot coverage at 50 more rail stations, The Cloud in Amsterdam (formerly known as Hotspot Amsterdam) and WebNet CWN (operating wireless broadband networks in Canada and the United States).
Study: Differentiation Key To Mobile WiMAX Success
February 13, 2007
Mobile WiMAX carriers will have to differentiate their services from cellular services if they are to survive, and even then, they will face many technical, cost, and competitive challenges in the United States, a study by In-Stat concludes.
However successful Mobile WiMAX (Worldwide interoperability for Microwave Access) carriers turn out to be, they will create downward price pressure on incumbent cellular carriers, In-State noted.
"When WiMAX competes with cellular, cellular operators will be forced to decrease their prices for wireless data services over cellular," said In-Stat's study. "Even if WiMAX fails after that point, it is unlikely that cellular carriers will ever again be able to charge the amount they currently do for wireless data services."
Mobile WiMAX , based on the Internet Protocol, promises to accelerate wireless-data speeds well beyond what's offered by current 3G cellular networks and deliver basic voice service. Voice service will be based on the technology's Voice-over-Mobile WiMAX spec, a VoIP technology that In-Stat says isn't likely to be used much before 2009 in the United States.
Because WiMAX carriers will offer voice and data services like cellular carriers, they'll have to "differentiate WiMAX from cellular data and offer each for a different purpose," the study said. One way would be to promote WiMAX for wireless internet access from laptop PCs and PDAs, while cellular data will be used for cellular handsets.
However they position their service, startup Mobile WiMAX providers "will need to undercut a cellular service provider's price for service if they are to have any chance of succeeding," the study said. Such price cuts, however, "will make it more difficult for that WiMAX provider to pay back his network," In-Stat noted. "In addition, if the cellular operators in the area start to see significant movement to WiMAX, they will reduce their service prices to compete."
Cellular carriers that build Mobile WiMAX networks, such as Sprint, will likely succeed by using the cellular network for data and voice and WiMAX for data-only service targeted to PDA and laptop users. In fact, it is Intel's intent to incorporate WiMAX in laptop chips, In-Stat said. The differentiated dual-network strategy "gives the [cellular] company more flexibility because it can deploy WiMAX when it likes, and it can shift its wireless data load between
WiMAX and cellular however it pleases."
Mobile WiMAX faces many other challenges, including competition by well-established cellular carriers whose networks will likely be more reliable than startup Mobile WiMAX networks. Other challenges include the lack of a
single worldwide WiMAX standard or frequency band that would drive down end-user device costs through economies of scale, said analyst Allen Nogee. The WiMAX standard, he explained, is an umbrella that covers several "profiles," each of which has a unique channel width, frequency band, and sometimes different duplexing forms to fit into various countries' existing spectrum allocations, In-Stat explained.
Current 3G cellular devices cost under $250, and some are starting to drop below $100, In-State noted. At these levels, "WiMAX devices will have a difficult time competing on price, and it's unlikely that the number of WiMAX devices produced will reach just this year's cellular 3G numbers for many years to come," Nogee said.
As for infrastructure, when backup power and similar additions such as backhaul are taken into account, WiMAX base stations are roughly equal in price to smaller cellular base stations, he said.
WiMAX's key advantage over cellular is 20 percent to 30 percent greater spectrum-efficiency than current cellular technologies. Down the road, however, CDMA2000 1X EV-DO Rev. C technology will greatly accelerate cellular data speeds "and allow cellular to directly compete with WiMAX."
First Ever WiMAX-LTE 4G IPR Report
February 12, 2007
Maravedis Inc. (www.maravedis.bwa.com) today strengthened its reputation as telecom's most innovative market research and analyst firm with the launch of the first ever report on WiMAX/LTE 4G Intellectual Property Rights(IPR), an exhaustive analysis of real-world IPR and patent data complemented by a comprehensive worldwide patent Database.
"We can't underestimate the impact of IPR on WiMAX/LTE 4G Technology. By the end of the decade, we expect that up to $300 million will have been spent annually on IPR for WiMAX alone" said Robert Syputa, Senior Analyst at Maravedis and author of the report. "The most successful companies focus R&D where they can benefit the most and leverage IPR. Unfortunately, many companies become so technology centric that they fail to align R&D with commercial success" Continued Syputa.
The WiMAX/LTE 4G IPR Policy & Market Report provides service providers with a powerful foresight on their upcoming IPR expenses, and helps manufacturer to truly position their IPR in the global patent scheme in order to direct their R&D and patent strategy. It also equips Investors and financial analysts with the right tools to gain insight on upcoming trends in the industry, identify potential investment, provide a solid foundation to build a strong marketing plan and understand how IPR and market trends may pressure new IPO's.
Maravedis invested many months gathering information, interviewing key industry players, and competently analyzing raw patents and IPR data to provide Stakeholders with a true effective, factual, detailed and forward looking set of data and analysis tools. "3GPP and other emerging technologies had databases and analysis enabling the industry to understand the potential of the technology, but no such tool was available for WiMAX/4G before. Through the expected market size, coupled with the rapid changes happening with the major players, there was a clear need to look ahead at the impact IPR and patent issues will have on the industry". said Adlane Fellah, President of Maravedis.
The report covers IPR policies, regulations, climate, forecasts, to name and few, and reveals several important IPR trends that indicate the role major players could have in the emerging WiMAX/4G markets.
Key Findings from the Author:
- Recent IPR trends, consolidation among smaller players and entrance of incumbent suppliers indicates further acquisitions by the larger players, such as Intel, Qualcomm, Samsung and Motorola, who will play a significant role in determining overall IPR costs in the WiMAX/LTE 4G market
- Qualcomm's position in 802.16e is limited but presents a stronger position for technology advances that will impact 4G.
- Samsung own the broadest field of OFDMA and related technologies used in WiMAX and LTE 4G.
- Wi-Lan, an IPR corporate licensor, has early agreements for WiMAX and related IPR licenses with Redline Communications, Cisco and Nokia, which sets benchmarks for commercial precedents of IPR agreements.
Maravedis expects that IPR disputes for WiMAX/4G will be less onerous than experienced in cellular due to the processes and policies developed, as well as the maturity and cross-discipline diversity of technologies comprised in emerging systems.
Explosive Growth in WiMax Patent Activity Promises Surge in Industry
February 03, 2007
Mountain View, CA, PRWeb - A new report from WTRS finds dramatic growth surge in WiMax patent activity. Completing intensive study of almost 500 WiMax related patents, WTRS now predicts phenomenal increase in WiMax industry, but IP litigation activities will affect market leaders.
WTRS announces 2007 edition of its unique WiMax Patent Directory. This Report demonstrates the enormous growth in innovative WiMax activity; last year's Directory covered about 50 new patents and this year's new Report studies over 475!
The Report offers analysis of current and pending WiMAX-related patent litigation, and analysis of IP and Patents with registered IEEE Letters of Assurance.
Patents are tracked for mobile and fixed WiMAX and related technologies such as WiBRO. Both US and worldwide patents are evaluated by company with a focus on fundamental network architecture, enabling software, and RF chipsets. Detail is extensive and the 500 page Report is both comprehensive and accessible, organized with an easy-to-use interface; patents to claims are hyperlinked within the document.
"The Wireless Triple Play industry will be dominated by WiMax in both fixed and mobile forms," according to Principal Analyst Kirsten West. "We are starting to see examples of WiMax used to solve actual business pain and that is the prerequisite for broad adoption in the Wireless Triple Play market."
In the past this Report has been purchased by OEM's, but also by a diverse Group, including a law firm and even a University Department. A previous version was even purchased by another Market Research firm! This is a unique publication, without a comparable offering from any other firm, but also is a tool allowing purchasers to identify those individuals making significant contributions to the WiMax universe.
Using only publicly available information, meticulously gathered from public patent sources, company information, and other research this report is truly an invaluable resource for any company participating in the WiMAX sector, or planning a potential entry into this market.
Ovum paints grim picture for Asia Pacific WiMAX
January 06, 2007
Analysis and consulting firm Ovum is predicting a rough road ahead for fixed and mobile WiMAX, saying both will remain niche technologies in most Asia Pacific markets for the next five years.
In his report WiMAX in Asia: reality bites, analyst Nathan Burley delivers his downbeat estimate for the technology despite the opportunities afforded by uneven fixed and mobile network deployment, and governments eager to latch onto the technology to boost domestic social policy initiatives and export-industry development.
Key to its poor performance is delays in standardising Mobile WiMAX for the mass-market, the report says. With 3GPP technologies being built out fast, the short to medium-term window of opportunity for large scale mobile WiMAX is closing, Ovum says.
It adds that both fixed and mobile WiMAX will remain niche technologies in most markets for the next five years. Beyond this, much depends on the relative volume of WiMAX chipsets built in to consumer electronics, and the extent to which the cellular community can maintain the momentum currently seen with HSPA deployment.
Mobile WiMAX faces considerable barriers to implementation, the report goes on to say, chief among them is the absence of a universally designated spectrum band. The technology is also less specified than comparable 3G broadband technologies and will take time to develop the scale economies essential to compete with 3G.
Despite publicity and trials, few larger mobile operators - especially in developed markets - have committed to large scale commercial deployment of WiMAX as a mobile broadband technology. Ovum says it sees 3GPP technologies (currently high-speed packet access, or HSPA) as the clear leader for wireless broadband in the medium term.
As a result, smaller operators will concentrate on deploying WiMAX in niche markets such rural areas poorly served by fixed DSL or cable.
In developed markets especially, WiMAX will co-exist with 3G/HSPA as fixed operators choose to extend the reach of DSL and possibly as a fixed substitute in cities.
Ovum says that in established 3G/HSPA markets, mobile WiMAX will need to demonstrate superior service or vastly cheaper prices in order to gain widespread take-up - something it sees as unlikely in the short to medium term.
Article by Ken Lewis for m-net.
WiMAX to trail mobile broadband market by 2010
November 23, 2006
New alternative technologies will add just 6 percent of the forecasted 500 million mobile broadband global users by 2010, reported Strategy Analytics. Despite all the hype surrounding alternative technologies like WiMAX, iterations of existing technologies will dominate the mobile broadband arena in the short term.
According to the research firm's report, Beyond 3G: Looking for True Mobile Broadband, technologies such as mobile WiMAX and UMTS TDD will lead the alternative technology camp. However, enhancements to existing technologies, including HSPA and EV-DO Revision A+ will constitute the bulk of the market and are where the money lies in the short-term.
"We're not likely to see technologies like mobile WiMAX or indeed, anything else, really take off until the next decade," said Sara Harris, senior industry analyst at Strategy Analytics and author of the report. "However, HSPA and EV-DO will be more than acceptable for most users, giving them the speed and flexibility they want to use their fixed internet applications on the move."
Telecom Giants Stake Out WiMAX Turf For Broadband On Horizon
November 23, 2006
While mobile broadband is mostly "a business of tomorrow," some early consumer response is quite promising. Clearwire, a startup with $2 bil. in financing including investments by Intel and Motorola, says it has achieved penetration rates of 10%-15% in seven areas where it has offered its wireless broadband service for at least 11 months.
"This low-double-digit penetration rate from Clearwire is about double expectations of a mid-single-digit penetration," notes Kagan Research senior analyst John Mansell.
Telecommunications giants are scrambling to carve out a beachhead in wireless broadband either with their own proprietary systems or aligned with the WiMAX Forum, an industry group setting standards. Broadband wireless will require billions of dollars for spectrum licenses, technology development and infrastructure to deploy nationally; current cell phone technology and infrastructure is inadequate.
"The holy grail is true mobility in wireless broadband that would be analogous to today's cell phone service but with faster speeds," says Mansell, who will moderate a Dec. 7 audio conference on WiMAX. "But we're not there yet. Service providers today are offering at best just portability that is experienced in 'hot spots.'"
WiMAX aims to drive down costs by standardization, which also will facilitate roaming capability allowing customers to be handed off between different carriers.
"While there's a growing consensus WiMAX faces a significant set of financial, technical and regulatory challenges, there's also tremendous upside," Mansell writes in a Kagan Research report, JupiterKagan Concept Report: WiMAX: Friend or Foe to Incumbent Carriers? "At mid-year, of the 400 mil. with Internet access worldwide, there were about 100 mil. dial-up and 300 mil. broadband subscribers. Only 1%-2% of the broadband subscribers were wireless."
The leading cell phone carriers are evolving already established standards, notes Mansell, while WiMAX has strong support from rural carriers and new entrants.
Maravedis Predicts Internet Penetration in Canada to Exceed 70% by 2017
November 09, 2006
The leading telecom market research and analyst firm Maravedis introduces its new Canadian Internet Database, called CID. In addition to providing information on Canadian Internet penetration rates by year, region and technology, CID offers the unique capability to access precise information classified by Postal Code, a first in the industry.
"We understand the investment implications of offering Internet access, and we believe this substantial database is essential to Internet Service Providers (ISP) looking to enhance revenues, improve customer loyalty, identify new prospective clients, create new customized service offerings and increase addressable market," explained Julien Regoli and Adlane Fellah, the architects and originators of CID.
The analysis demonstrates an intrinsic correlation between Internet usage and specific demographic factors. Age, income, education and location are the most influential factors. "We have created an equation to represent this correlation and used it to estimate the level of household penetration in each of Canada’s Forward Sortation Areas (FSA), which provides users with higher quality projections taking into account the detailed socio-economic characteristics of this market," continued Fellah.
Over 95% of Internet users on broadband access by 2017
According to Maravedis, Internet penetration per household in Canada will exceed 70% by 2017, and it is anticipated that 95% of Internet users will have subscribed to a high-speed (broadband) connection.
"The average monthly bandwidth usage per residential subscriber has increased from 50 Mbps in 2003 to 300 Mbps in 2005, which definitely makes dial-up service an increasingly frustrating experience," says Adlane Fellah. Dial-up Internet subscribers are typically new or occasional users. And, as they increase their use, subscribers are likely to upgrade to a high-speed connection at some point.
Canada is a leading country when it comes to Internet penetration as well as broadband deployment, and they continue to intensify although at a slower pace than in the past few years. CID clearly projects a growing gap in penetration rate between the Atlantic and the Western Provinces. By 2017, British Columbia is expected to possess the highest Internet penetration rate at close to 80%, followed by Ontario and Alberta in the high 70s%. In contrast, Quebec, New Brunswick and Newfoundland are expected to reach around 55% penetration.
Although growth has decelerated, the Canadian Internet market will be interesting to watch in the coming years. Between changes in regulation and the introduction of new technologies such as Broadband Wireless Internet through WiFi and WiMAX, we expect an exciting future ahead as Wireless technologies are deployed, providing subscribers with portability and mobility features. As a result, Maravedis foresees there will be several subscriptions per household - a phenomenon Canadian households are experiencing today with cell phones.
Maravedis' CID also includes a WiMAX supplement with all the vital information on current license holders in the 2.5 GHz band in Canada.
Report: WiMAX On Track To Compete For Dominance In Wireless
September 19, 2006
Maravedis announced the publication of its fourth edition of "WiMAX and Broadband Wireless (Sub-11GHz) Worldwide Market Analysis and Trends 2006-2012" report.
WiMAX is on track to compete for mainstream wireless markets according to Maravedis Report "Nothing points out the immediate course into mass market development than the planned introduction of multimode WiMAX mobile plus cellular semiconductors and devices," said Adlane Fellah, Senior Analyst at Maravedis, and co-author of the report.
This 800-page report provides a comprehensive analysis of the broadband wireless market, technology trends, regulation as well as Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). The document also considers the experience of service providers whilst providing an overview of key emerging countries-BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China), in addition to an in-depth analysis of municipal markets.
Highlights of the Report include:
- Service providers are examining fixed mobile convergence to reverse ARPU decline.
- Service providers care about certification, standardization and economies of scale in the medium to long term, but they want robust equipment with NLOS capabilities today.
- The cost of indoor CPE will fall to US$75 by 2008, which will in turn boost the proliferation of WiMAX.
- BRIC countries will represent one third of accumulated BWA/WiMAX subscribers by 2012.
- Lack of spectrum allocated for WiMAX China and India is of concern, and may impact WiMAX adoption if not resolved by 2008.
- The essential IPRs (patents) for WiMAX technology being held by different and non-dominant companies will provide WiMAX the opportunity to emerge as being a lower cost technology.
- The WiMAX equipment market is forecasted to reach an annual US$6 billion in 2012, and will have generated accumulated revenues of US$15 billion by then.
- Maravedis predicts an accumulated 87 million BWA subscribers by the end of 2012, 67 million of which will be WiMAX subscribers.
SOURCE: Maravedis
81% of WiMAX Networks Built with Alvairon Equipment in 2005
August 03, 2006
Alvarion Ltd. announced that Sky Light Research, a leading broadband wireless analyst firm, has reported the company's 2005 WiMAX market share at 81% of all deployments worldwide. Since its launch in mid-2004, Alvarion's BreezeMAX™ system has been successfully deployed in over 180 installations in more than 80 countries, including with carriers such as T-Com (Germany), ENTEL (Chile), Iberbanda (Spain), and Kenya Data Networks (Kenya).
"Alvarion’s early entrance into the WiMAX market with its WiMAX-ready BreezeMAX 3500 radio in 2004 has paid off with a dominant leadership position for the company. Now that BreezeMAX has been certified, the early successes with WiMAX-ready equipment will be leveraged in 2006 and beyond as the certified WiMAX market ramps,” said Emmy Johnson, principal analyst of Sky Light Research. “Alvarion has been a leading advocate of WiMAX since its inception, and has taken great effort in promoting the technology for the larger, global telecommunication market.”
In 2003, Alvarion was the first company to partner with Intel to work together to incorporate Intel's 806.16-2004 chips into the company's systems. Since then, Alvarion has led the WiMAX industry with numerous milestones:
• Launched a WiMAX system -- BreezeMAX 3500 in June 2004
• First to offer a commercial WiMAX CPE, BreezeMAX PRO, using the Intel® PRO/Wireless 5116 broadband interface chip
• First with a commercial self-installable WiMAX CPE, BreezeMAX Si, paving the way for portable and nomadic services
• First to demonstrate 4Motion™, an end-to end mobile WiMAX solution based on IEEE 802.16e-2005, to provide personal broadband services anytime, anywhere
• Several industry awards, including IEC's InfoVision and WCA's Best Technology Foresight
• Certification of BreezeMAX and successful interoperability of its mobile WiMAX solution, 4Motion™, with end user devices embedded with a WiMAX chip
"We are pleased to have our revenues, trials activity and market leadership in WiMAX confirmed by a top analyst firm such as Sky Light," said Rudy Leser, Alvarion's corporate vice president of strategy and marketing. "As a pioneer of the broadband wireless industry for more than a decade, we continue to be well positioned to lead the development and deployment of both fixed and mobile WiMAX systems as evidenced by the depth and breadth of our partners, customers, and deployments globally. Our vast experience ensures that when carriers choose BreezeMAX to build their networks, they receive the most advanced technology, the best WiMAX network available, and are able to take advantage of new, advanced features and functions as they become available in the future. We are proud to be partners to so many of our customers deploying commercial WiMAX systems."
WiMAX - Where Are You Now and Where are You Going?
July 26, 2006
By contributing writer Alan J. Weissberger.
We have previously written about Fixed WiMAX (standardized by IEEE 802.16-2004 and certified by the WiMAX Forum) gear being used to provide broadband wireless access in developing countries (e.g. India, Russia, Brazil). Other applications include DSL fill in, WiFi hot spot and Muni WiFi backhaul, n x DS1/E1 wireless tail circuits from an interexchange carrier's POP, and even cellular voice backhaul.
While we still think those applications are quite viable, we are concerned that there have been no large fixed WiMAX networks deployed or announced in the U.S. Is it because 3.5GHz licensed spectrum is not widely available, the applications do not present a good ROI for operators, or some other reason? We would like to see something more solid than a trial run from Sprint-Nextel, AT&T, Bell South, or Clearwire.
Meanwhile, a number of industry experts are claiming that Fixed WiMAX will be obsoleted by IEEE 802.16e (2005), which is capable of providing both fixed and mobile service. But we also hear that this later version of WiMAX has been optimized for the 2.3G to 2.5GHz band and not for 3.5GHZ, which is more widely available in the rest of the world. Indeed, 802.16e appears to be the only broadband wireless network technology capable of supporting both fixed and mobile access - with QOS and traffic scheduling thrown in for good measure. In fact, IEEE 802.16e is a good choice for the operator wishing to build a single network that realizes the vision of fixed-mobile convergence and personal broadband services, because it offers the customer a variety of services and supports different traffic types over a single broadband wireless access interface.
But is 802.16e mainly a unified wireless network, or an overlay to 3G networks - which cannot yet provide the high data rates, throughput and spectrum efficiency needed for high bandwidth applications? If the 3G data technologies become available by 2008 will that eliminate the need to combine 802.16e with 3G to form a hybrid mobile network? Perhaps operators deploy the fixed version of 802.16e in conjunction with a full service 3G mobile voice/data/video network.
As we explore these issues in depth in future articles, we request your help. What issues or topics are you interested in? For example, are you curious about WiMAXs role in future municipal wireless networks? What about VoIP over WiMAX handsets? Is there really a business case for 802.16e as a 3G overlay network for high speed data, graphics and video - as Intel claims? The stage for WiMax applications is not fully set yet, but the dust is settling, and the picture is beginning to emerge. Return here for more developments as they occur.
Total WiMAX Service Subscribers Expected To Reach 13.98 Million In 2011
July 25, 2006
Research and Markets has announced the addition of WiMax: Latest APAC Market Development to their offering.
Since 2005, WiMAX has generated tremendous public interest in the APAC region. Most APAC telecommunication industry regulators have given the go-ahead for WiMAX. Service providers, especially competitive service providers, are using WiMAX as a perfect chance to get into the broadband and wireless business. However, their expected cost-effectiveness of WiMAX will not arrive soon, since the standardization and commoditization of WiMAX equipment will take more time to complete. Nevertheless, many WiMAX networks were set up for trials and commercial deployments in APAC.
In the 13 APAC countries, the total APAC market, including WiMAX CPEs, WiMAX base stations, and WiMAX commercial services (but excluding the non-radio-access part of total WiMAX solutions), is valued at US$106.4 million in 2006 and the figure will grow 40.4 times in 5 years time, to US$4,300.6 million in 2011. Total WiMAX service subscribers are expected to reach 13.98 million in 2011.
Maravedis predicts WiMAX subscribers to reach 13 million in India by 2012
June 27, 2006
The leading telecom market research and analyst firm Maravedis, in partnership with Tonse Telecom, the Indian leader in Telecom market research and analysis, today released a new Market study entitled “India Wireless Broadband and WiMAX Market Analysis and Forecasts 2006-2012”. This study provides a detailed review of current regulatory and overall wireless market trends in India.
“According to our research, we can expect 13 million WiMAX subscribers in India by 2012” said Adlane Fellah, co-author of the report and Senior Analyst at Maravedis Inc. The Indian economy is flourishing and the demand is quickly outpacing the supply of telecommunications services provided by the legacy wired telecommunication infrastructure built during the state monopoly era. “More than 70% of Indian households do not have access to fixed telephone services. Instead, customers have flocked to cellular phone carriers, which have built a tremendous infrastructure to provide services to more than 100 million customers” continued Fellah.
Broadband services were launched in India in 2005. ADSL services now cover 300 towns with 1.5 million connections while broadband wireless subscriber figures are still negligible. In a country where monthly broadband ARPU is estimated at $8-10, and computer penetration is still at around 4%, BWA / WiMAX adoption will depend on very low cost end-to-end pricing for connectivity including the compute platform and CPE. The Indian telecom sector operates in a volume-driven market. If WiMAX is to succeed it will only be on the premise of huge volumes not, small deployments
“Bharti TeleVentures, Reliance, BSNL and VSNL (Tata Group) have all acquired licenses in 3.3GHz range and are in various stages of trials and modest commercial deployments. Maravedis Tonse has gathered evidence that larger deployments will start to materialize in early 2007 but volumes in the millions will take a few years to materialize. The planned release of additional spectrum will be critical to this” explained Fellah.
“However, shortage of spectrum is a serious obstacle for massive adoption of broadband wireless and WiMAX in India. For WiMAX to prosper in India, license holders will need at least 20MHz of spectrum while they currently hold 12MHz or less. 20MHz is a minimum to support wide scale deployments and hence a profitable business case” added Sridhar, co-author of the report and CEO of Tonse Telecom
Government appears to be serious about solving the problem by releasing some of the spectrum from the departments of Space and Defense and the TRAI is currently engaged in a critical public consultation. Wireless adoption is essential if the government wishes to meet its ambitious plans.
Flash Can Impact Everything
June 26, 2006
By Alan Weissberger.
On May 25th 2006, Alan Weissberger attended an IEEE Magnetics-Consumer Electronics seminar where Dr. Eli Harari, CEO of SanDisk, spoke about current trends and applications of Flash memories. It's widely recognized that consumer electronics has been the main engine of tech growth, but the influence of dramatically improved price-performance of Flash memories have been underestimated by most analysts. Flash technology has advanced to unlock much greater price elasticity, which is accelerating growth in the consumer electronics market -especially smart phones capable of receiving streaming and real time video.
Let's focus on mobile video and multi-media gaming on the move. While issues like wireless spectrum, packet radio protocols, compression, DRM have grabbed the headlines, Flash memory is just as important an enabler of mobile video and multi-media on handsets. In fact, the storage of video, music, emails, and web content on handsets is growing at a 68% CAGR, according to Dr. Harari.
The combination of advances in Flash technology with 3G mobile broadband (including WiMAX) is enabling much richer content distribution to handsets. With a projection of 1 billion new global consumers of mobile broadband in the next decade, there will be tremendous growth in this area. The mobile content evolution will give rise to smart phones that include video and music downloads, web access, multi-media gaming, camera, GPS functionality, and other applications. DRM solutions are expected to accelerate consumption.
What about the future? A terabyte in your pocket, a petabyte in your home? Within the next decade we might see these levels of personal storage requirements. Already a terabyte hard disk drive can be seen on the near horizon. New applications will drive storage capacity, performance, and unit growth for all types of storage devices. Growing storage demand for consumer applications will join with industrial storage system demand to create an unprecedented demand for storage.
Within 5 years personal content (created by non-commercial sources) will equal and even exceed commercial content in many homes. Supplying storage to support the creation and delivery of commercial as well as personal and quasi-commercial digital content, including non-traditional delivery to support new markets such as IPTV and mobile phones will become an important factor ensuring storage growth.
Find out What Technology Will Win in a Converged Broadband Access Market
June 23, 2006
Research and Markets has announced the addition of "Competitive Access Markets: The Broadband Challenge for Fixed and Mobile Operators" to their offering.
This report looks at the fast-developing fixed and mobile broadband access markets and how they will remove traditional barriers between fixed and mobile services, leading to a new, more competitive market environment, dominated by personalisation, price and performance. The report examines key technology options and contains market forecasts of major markets in America, Europe and Asia-Pacific and answers the fundamental question "What is the long term revenue impact of broadband access and IP connectivity?"
It provides the user with detailed market analysis of key trends together with forecasts of the number of broadband subscribers from 2006 to 2016. It also provides an in- depth market analysis of xDSL, FTTC and FTTH equipment shipments from 2006 to 2016. It also covers details of broadband access revenues from 2006 to 2016.
WiMAX Market Poised to Nearly Triple, Semico Says
May 15, 2006
If necessary factors are met, WiMAX will be the leading contender for mobile services amongst wireless solutions with revenues increasing from $21.6 million in 2005 to $3.3 billion in 2010, Phoenix, Arizona-based Semico Research predicts.
The firm asserts that WiMAX will do for broadband what cellular has done for phones - make broadband mobile and will become part of a number of networks, providing broadband wireless access in rural areas, offering backhaul services, offloading data traffic, and making broadband mobile.
"There is controversy surrounding this technology because it is not the only broadband option out there," said Connie Wong, director of wireless communications for Semico, in a statement.
"However, the establishment of global standards, the ability to provide higher throughput and high reliability to the customer, and affordable services in the form of low-priced CPEs will catapult WiMAX into the driver-seat if met," she continued.
According to Semico's recent WiMAX forecast that includes both base stations and CPEs, the market is poised to grow from a mere 6,000 units in 2005 to 4.27 million units in 2010, a compound annual growth rate of 268.3 percent.
"The hype over WiMAX is hot and the market has been flooded by participants. Intel and Fujitsu have invested heavily in WiMAX and their aggressiveness in this market will be a strong catalyst, not to mention it will provide excellent opportunities for start-up companies," Wong concluded.
Estimates Given of 4.4 Million VoWiMAX Subscribers around the World by 2009
April 21, 2006
WiMAX has the potential to transform broadband access markets, worldwide. As an alternative broadband technology, WiMAX can compete with DSL and cable-modem services without the need for heavy regulation. Yet, the market success of WiMAX is far from certain. Increased broadband competition, price compression and high subscriber acquisition costs threaten to drive margins even lower. Voice over WiMAX may be the key to broadband wireless profitability. By 2009, we forecast there will be 4.4 million VoWiMAX subscribers, worldwide. This report investigates the realistic market opportunities for WiMAX in metropolitan, rural, emerging country and least developed country markets. The business case for data-only and bundled voice/data services is examined. Multi-year forecasts for global broadband subscribers, WiMAX and VoWiMAX, by geographic region, are presented.
For more, see: Voice over WiMAX: The Key to Wireless Broadband Profitability? (Research and Markets).
The Bull Market Report Examines WiMAX
April 18, 2006
The Bull Market Report, an online investment newsletter focused on long-term growth and income-generating stocks, announced that it has provided subscribers with a report on companies set to benefit from WiMAX, including Alvarion (ALVR), ADC Telecommunications (ADCT), Airspan Networks (AIRN), and Vyyo (VYYO), among others.
Here is a sample: "The heightened cooperation within the industry is helping. According to a recent survey from market research firm Heavy Reading, over 80% of the 175 network operators surveyed anticipate commercial WiMAX services will be launched by the end of 2007, and 38% expect commercial launches this year. Asian and European operators were more bullish on 2006 launches than U.S. firms. Importantly, 60% said that WiMAX will have 'a profound long-term impact on their service offerings.'"
The Bull Market Report looked at the following topics:
- What are some of the catalysts driving the adoption of WiMAX?
- What risks do companies focused on WiMAX face?
- When should WiMAX technology really begin to take off?
- Which companies in the WiMAX space look like they offer the best investment opportunities?
Subscribe to a 14-day free trial: Bull Market.
Maravedis predicts large expansion of WiMAX in Brazil by 2010
April 02, 2006
There will be 768,000 accumulated BWA/WIMAX subscribers in Brazil by 2010, of which two thirds will be WiMAX, according to the latest report from leading research firm Maravedis, titled “BWA/WiMAX Brazilian Market Analysis.” This new report, the first of a series that will include reports on Russia, India and other countries, provides an in-depth review of the broadband wireless and WiMAX markets and regulatory activity taking place in Brazil.
“Approximately 70% of those accumulated WiMAX subscribers will be residential mobile users, while fixed WiMAX will continue to be driven by large and SME customers,” explained Eduardo Prado and Adlane Fellah, co-authors of the report.
The Brazilian players are anxiously awaiting the new 3.5 GHz auction to start sometime in July 2006, before federal elections due in October 2006. Bidders will want either to expand their current coverage areas or to enter the WiMAX arena. Moreover, positive regulatory changes in the 2.5 GHz band will open the WiMAX market starting 2007.
Maravedis predicts that the most active players will be companies with deep pockets such as Telemar, Brazil Telecom, Embratel and Telefonica, who are thoroughly testing the technology and crafting their business plans.
“Overall, the total accumulated equipment market size for BWA/WiMAX in Brazil will represent a lucrative US$300 million by 2010, which makes Brazil a key market for BWA/WiMAX vendors for the years to come,” Fellah added.
Report Says Telcos Are Primed for Major Rollouts of WiMax in 2006-07
March 16, 2006
Telecom network operators are convinced that WiMax will have a positive impact on their ability to deliver new services, and most expect to see deployment of WiMax in commercial networks by the end of 2007, according to results of a worldwide survey of service provider professionals conducted by Heavy Reading, Light Reading Inc.'s market research division.
Service Provider WiMax Deployment Plans, the latest report from Heavy Reading, presents full results and analysis of an invitation-only survey gauging not only service provider perceptions of WiMax, but also their plans to incorporate the new broadband wireless technology into their own networks. A total of 262 service provider professionals, representing more than 175 different network operators worldwide, participated in the survey.
"Service provider respondents overwhelmingly view WiMax as a technology that will have at least some impact on the future of telecom networks, and a solid majority expect it to have a major impact," the report states. "Less than 2 percent of the 262 respondents categorized WiMax as offering 'more hype than hope,' while nearly 60 percent said WiMax would have a major long-term impact on telecom networks and services. These results clearly show that WiMax developers have succeeded in making a strong case for their technology, and that service providers are expecting WiMax to have a place in future network designs."
Other key findings in the 24-page report include the following:
Positive attitudes toward WiMax and its role in telecom networks cut across all service provider types. For every type of service provider included in the survey, more than 50 percent of respondents said WiMax would have a major long-term effect on networks and services. The carrier respondents most bullish about WiMax's prospects were those from long-distance operators (69.1 percent of whom said WiMax would have a major long-term impact), Bell companies (68.8 percent), and operators of conventional wireless networks (68.4 percent).
A majority of respondents say their company is now evaluating WiMax, and almost all of the rest say their company is likely to take a close look at the technology once it matures -- which most expect to occur in the next year and a half.
The vast majority of respondents expect to see commercial WiMax service launched within the next two years. Nearly 40 percent of respondents expect commercial WiMax service to be available this year, and more than 80 percent anticipate it by the end of 2007.
Wimax To Constitute A Major Share Of Wireless Broadband Market
March 13, 2006
WiMAX is all set to hit the fixed access market for the time being whereas the basic and full mobility WiMAX is the goal for the year 2010. The kind of enthusiasm that WiMAX has instilled amongst the businesses as well as individuals isn't just for the wired version of the technology; Wireless WiMAX is where most of the silicon and large-scale equipment makers seem to be more interested in investing.
Setting up a broadband connection through Digital Subscriber Line or DSL includes heavy installation charges. WiMAX, on the other hand, is a comparatively less expensive alternative to DSL, as it doesn't require any modem or cables to get a WiMAX connection. The maintenance cost is also reduced with WiMAX connection.
As per the market research report titled "WiMAX Market Forecast (2006-2010)" published by RNCOS, it is predicted that the "WiMAX and other emerging high-speed wireless technologies will capture more than 42% of the wireless broadband business over the next few years, whilst 3G will have to content with less than 59% of the market in 2009."
The report covers every significant aspect of WiMAX technology such as the latest WiMAX market trends, the standards followed, the spectrum allocations and its functioning and implementation etc. The report also covers various benefits of WiMAX technology such as performance, coverage and so on.
Discussing the future market scope for WiMAX, the report estimates "The comparatively better performance and flexibility of WiMAX will enable this technology to takeover the high-speed wireless segment in the next 3 years. Though 3G will be important for its mobility, WiMAX will directly compete with DSL."
The report suggests that approximately half of the world consumer market will be captured by Wireless Networking standard 802.11n in the next 2-3 years. According to the report, WiMAX will be the most popular standard in the coming years.
For all those tech savvy guys out there the report offers a complete overview of the latest technology known as WiMAX. The report talks about several applications of this technology. Besides discussing the various facets of WiMAX, the report also provides a list of the technologies that pose challenge to WiMAX.
WiMAX being the center of attention for all, it's a true challenge for the observers to mark a difference between the myths and facts associated with this technology. The report provides with important topics such as the difference between fixed and mobile WiMAX while also discusses the availability and timing, spectrum challenges and the global approach of WiMAX.
Worldwide Telecommunications Markets anticipated to reach $446.9 billion by 2010
March 11, 2006
esearch and Markets has announced the addition of Worldwide Telecommunications and Communications Market Opportunities, Strategies, and Forecasts, 2005 To 2010 to their offering.
The worldwide telecommunications markets are set for extraordinary growth, doubling from $123 billion in 2004 to $282 billion by 2010. Communications represents opportunity for expansion of economies. The Internet based communications systems are vastly improving the efficiency of the supply chain for the largest 5000 companies worldwide.
Worldwide telecommunications and communications equipment market forecasts, shipments in dollars analysis indicate strong growth in very large existing markets. Markets at $197.6 billion in 2005 are anticipated to reach $446.9 billion by 2010.
For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c21014
Free WiMAX Report from the OECD
March 11, 2006
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has published a rather good report into WiMAX and its impact on competition and regulation. It gives a status report of the technology and its rollout, then outlines the regulatory challenges, such as spectrum allocation, and there's a series of country-comparison tables on national policies: from issues like which countries have already issued licences to service restrictions, trials and potential services.
You can download the report for free from the OECD website - http://www.oecd.org/sti/telecom.
Wi-Fi to hold its own against WiMax well into 2009
March 10, 2006
WiMax's popularity will explode over the next three years, according to Infonetics, but it's not going to come close to Wi-Fi for a while.
Revenues from WiMax equipment are set for impressive growth, analysts report, but will continue to lag behind those from Wi-Fi.
Research company Infonetics predicts WiMax will reach revenues of $142m (£81.7m) this year, shooting up to $1.6bn by 2009.
While the milestone is an important one for the long-range broadband technology, revenues from WiMax pale in comparison to those from Wi-Fi, which jumped 10 percent year-on-year to reach $2.4bn.
Infonetics expects the Wi-Fi market to be worth $3.9bn before the end of the decade, largely driven by the enterprise segment, which will see a 120 percent jump in revenue between 2005 and 2009.
Wimax To Constitute A Major Share Of Wireless Broadband Market
March 10, 2006
WiMAX is all set to hit the fixed access market for the time being whereas the basic & full mobility WiMAX is the goal for the year 2010. The kind of enthusiasm that WiMAX has instilled amongst the businesses as well as individuals isn’t just for the wired version of the technology; Wireless WiMAX is where most of the silicon and large-scale equipment makers seem to be more interested in investing.
As per the market research report titled "WiMAX Market Forecast (2006-2010)" published by RNCOS, it is predicted that the "WiMAX and other emerging high-speed wireless technologies will capture more than 42% of the wireless broadband business over the next few years, whilst 3G will have to content with less than 59% of the market in 2009."
The report covers every significant aspect of WiMAX technology such as the latest WiMAX market trends, the standards followed, the spectrum allocations and its functioning & implementation etc. The report also covers various benefits of WiMAX technology such as performance, coverage and so on.
Discussing the future market scope for WiMAX, the report estimates “The comparatively better performance and flexibility of WiMAX will enable this technology to takeover the high-speed wireless segment in the next 3 years. Though 3G will be important for its mobility, WiMAX will directly compete with DSL.”
The report suggests that approximately half of the world consumer market will be captured by Wireless Networking standard 802.11n in the next 2-3 years. According to the report, WiMAX will be the most popular standard in the coming years.
Part 3, WiMax Market Update from the Field
March 06, 2006
Part 3, update by Alan J. Weissberger.
Heavy Reading’s WiMax findings:
Telecom network operators are convinced that WiMax will have a positive impact on their ability to deliver new services, and most expect to see deployment of WiMax in commercial networks by the end of 2007, according to results of a worldwide survey of service provider professionals conducted by Heavy Reading, Light Reading Inc.'s market research division.
Worldwide sales of WiMax products have been minuscule so far, but the true test of its potential is about to commence, now that the first standards-compliant products are hitting the market for deployment in real commercial networks. Certification by the WiMax Forum that products conform to various iterations of the IEEE 802.16 standard that defines WiMax began in January 2006 and is expected to trigger wide-scale deployment of WiMax equipment by telecom service providers. WiMax may actually eclipse some of the industry’s earlier "saviour" technologies, primarily because it is viewed as a linchpin for the future convergence of wireless and wire-line networks, in addition to promising advancement for broadband wireless services and applications.
Key findings of Service Provider WiMax Deployment Plans include the following:
Service provider respondents overwhelmingly view WiMax as a technology that will have at least some impact on the future of telecom networks, and a solid majority expects it to have a major impact. Less than 2 percent of the 262 respondents categorized WiMax as offering "more hype than hope," while nearly 60 percent said WiMax would have a major long-term impact on telecom networks and services. These results clearly indicate that WiMax developers have succeeded in making a strong case for their technology, and that service providers are expecting WiMax to have a place in future network designs.
Positive attitudes toward WiMax and its role in telecom networks cut across all service provider types. For every type of service provider included in the survey, more than 50 percent of respondents said WiMax would have a major long-term effect on networks and services. The respondents most bullish about WiMax's prospects include those from long-distance operators (69.1 percent of whom said WiMax would have a major long-term impact), Bell companies (68.8 percent), and operators of conventional wireless networks (68.4 percent).
The evaluation process for WiMax is already well underway, and the next 12 to 18 months will be critical in determining how many carriers make investments in WiMax and how extensive those investments will be. A majority of respondents say their company is now evaluating WiMax technology, and almost all of the rest say their company is likely to take a close look at WiMax once the technology matures – which most expect to occur in the next 12 to 18 months.
The vast majority of respondents expect to see commercial WiMax service launched within the next two years. Nearly 40 percent of respondents expect commercial WiMax service to be available this year, and more than 80 percent anticipate it by the end of 2007.
Part 2, WiMax Market Update from the Field
March 04, 2006
Part 2, update by Alan J. Weissberger.
WiMax Forum Status Update, by Mo Shakouri of Alvarion (WiMax Forum Board Member and Vice President Marketing Working Group).
WiMAX Forum Charter:
- Promote and accelerate WiMAX deployments to achieve leadership in the global wireless broadband market.
- Develop a framework for a high performance end-to-end IP network architecture supporting stationary, portable, and mobile users (a flat IP network that serves many different types of customers is envisioned).
- Deliver a trusted certification process (recently completed first product certifications).
- Evangelize business model, including favorable IPR policy.
- Foster a thriving ecosystem, including application and content players as well as telecom companies.
WiMAX Forum Participation: Some 500-600 delegates attended last week’s WiMax Forum meeting in Paris. The largest group attending now is operators, with over 120 operator company members. The leading companies in communications, computing, Internet, and content are participating in the WiMax Forum.
WiMax Forum’s 2005 Accomplishments:
- More than 150 WiMAX trials and early commercial deployments
- Membership doubled to 350+ companies
- Successfully bridged Korean WiBro service to become part of mobile WiMAX standard
- IEEE 802.16e standard ratified due to Forum company collaboration
- Mobile WiMAX network specification phase one completed
- Opened first independent WiMax Forum certification lab in Spain
- Executed two successful Plug Fests
- Completed three global member conferences
WiMAX Forum Message for 2006:
- WiMAX Delivers on its Promise
– Certified 802.16-2004/HiperMAN products (at 3.5 GHz) will be available in Q1’2006
- WiMAX is gaining market acceptance. Fixed WiMax will succeed, if only because there are many parts of the world which do not have a broadband infrastructure and WiMax will level the playing field for those countries.
– Over 150 operators are trialing and deploying WiMAX
– 802.16e lab on track to open in Q3’2006
A new white paper is now available which provides a vision for Mobile WiMax.
All white papers are available for download at Wimax Forum.org.
That concludes Part 2 of this WiMax Market Update. Due to the length of this report, we will be bringing this to you in three parts over the weekend, ending on Sunday.
Part 3 will cover some of Heavy Reading’s WiMax findings.
Part 1, WiMax Market Update from the Field
March 03, 2006
Part 1, update by Alan J. Weissberger.
Trendsmedia and Heavy Reading have just provided new insights into the future of WiMax. In separate reports, they examine WiMax market dynamics, vendor positioning, service provider plans, and WiMax Forum activities. On March 1st, Trendsmedia held a webinar for analysts, while Heavy Reading provided selected results of their WiMax service provider study via email. Both organizations announced the availability of their new WiMAX market research reports.
The WiMAX Vendor Map 2006-7, by Caroline Gabriel, Research Director, Rethink Research Associates (author of Trendsmedia’s WiMax report):
- Traditional fixed WiMax applications include: backhaul, rural access, developing nations without a broadband infrastructure, some metrozone/municipal (but WiFi dominates this space), SME services that would otherwise need T1/E1 access.
- Competing technologies: Lots of proprietary WiMax-like broadband wireless systems and extended range WiFi. Longer life predicted for proprietary technologies, e.g. Motorola’s Canopy.
- WiMax Spectrum: Most popular frequencies are 2.1-2.3GHz, 3.5Ghz (most trials use this), and 5.8GHz.
- Factors that are contributing to an emerging market for WiMax: Start of Certification and Harmonized Profiles from WiMax Forum, Increased R&D, Performance enhancements (many start-up vendors with unique intellectual property), Promise of portability and eventually mobility.
- Considering that IEEE 802.16e will support fixed, portable and mobile, and has major vendor support, how will 802.16-2004 (WiMax fixed) survive? The answer was a suprise: Most operators that deploy 802.16-2004 will not upgrade to 802.16e! They are focused primarily on fixed wireless applications to homes and SME or on enterprise T1/E1 access replacement via WiMax backhaul. They don’t need higher performance, mobility or new handsets for their targeted applications, and therefore do not have a need to move to 802.16e.
- Vendor strategies for 802.16-2004 (fixed WiMax): Improved economics for traditional markets, Extension to consumer markets, New backhaul partnerships, Combination with Wi-Fi, Low cost CPE, Coexistence with proprietary versions of WiMax, start-ups partnering with larger OEM vendors. The key driver to extend WiMax to consumer markets will be availability of low cost laptop add-in cards and USB plug-in cards.
- Other fixed WiMax applications include: DSL extension, Cellular backhaul, Portability, and Hybrid models which combine WiMax with WiFi.
- Despite the large vendors who will enter IEEE 802.16e market (e.g. Motorola, Alcatel, Samsung), the startups are expected to dominate... initially. The leaders are expected to be IP Wireless and Navini Networks. Other new players: ArrayCom, NexNet, Flarion and Soma. Fixed market leader Alvarion is expected to migrate to IEEE 802.16e for portability and eventually mobility.
- The operator view of IEEE 802.16e: gradual shift from portability to mobility: 60% of current top 20 BWA deployments are in developing countries (but all mobile broadband operators have a presence in developed countries). Operators are more interested in portability then true mobility!
- Chip Makers: While Intel remains the quintessential cheerleader, the start-ups are now leading the market. Likely that most will not survive as independent entities, but will be acquired for their intellectual property.
- Due to the dynamic nature of the market(s), it is predicted that in one year’s time there will be a dramatic change in the WiMax vendor map.
That concludes Part 1 of this WiMax Market Update. Due to the length of this report, we will be bringing this to you in three parts over the weekend, ending on Sunday.
Part 2 will include a WiMax Forum Status Update, by Mo Shakouri of Alvarion and Part 3 will cover some of Heavy Reading’s WiMax findings.
WiMax Pushing Beyond the Hype
March 03, 2006
Broadband wireless has moved beyond the pipedream stage, according to a new worldwide survey of 175 network operators.
More than 80 percent of the respondents believe that commercial WiMax services will be launched by the end of 2007, and almost half those say it will be this year. The survey results are included in a new report, "Service Provider WiMax Deployment Plans," from Heavy Reading.
The advent of WiMax networks has been delayed by a prolonged standards process and by vendor and service provider uncertainty about the availability of radio-frequency spectrum for the new technology. In January, however, the WiMax Forum certified the first wave of WiMax equipment, which is coming to market during the next few months. (See WiMax Gear Approved for Market.)
"In terms of hype cycles," notes the Heavy Reading report's executive summary, "WiMax may actually be eclipsing some of the industry's earlier 'savior' technologies, primarily because it is viewed as a linchpin for the future convergence of wireless and wireline networks, in addition to promising advancement for broadband wireless services and providers."
Among the survey findings:
- 82 percent of respondents expect commercial WiMax launch by the end of 2007.
- 38 percent expect it this year.
- 60 percent of telecom companies expect WiMax to have a profound long-term impact on their service offerings.
The confidence in upcoming WiMax deployments is slightly lower in North America (where 29 percent of respondents said they expect launches this year) than in Europe (42 percent) and Asia (44 percent).
More info directly from Heavy Reading.
WiMAX Forum Announces Availability of Mobile WiMAX Evaluation White Paper
March 02, 2006
The WiMAX Forum has published the first release of a multi-part technical white paper on mobile WiMAX. The first release is entitled, "Mobile WiMAX -- Part I: A Technical Overview and Performance Evaluation". The Table of Contents, Figures, and Tables included in the white paper are provided for your reference at the end of this message.
Download this paper from the WiMAX Forum website.
A companion paper, "Mobile WiMAX -- Part II: A Competitive Analysis", is a comparison of Mobile WiMAX performance characteristics with contemporary and evolving 3G technologies. Part II will be released in the coming weeks. This discussion and performance comparison provides a more complete picture of the role that Mobile WiMAX can play in the evolution of broadband mobile networks.
If you would like to speak with a member of the WiMAX Forum in regard to this white paper, please contact René Smith at 713-513-9566 or 281-701-3602.
WiMax Too slow, too expensive and not enough regulation
February 28, 2006
Traditional broadband players and mobile operators will be giving WiMax a wide berth for the years to come, new research predicts.
According to a report by Capgemini, a number of significant factors including cost, speed and the uncertain regulatory environment will serve to hobble WiMax.
The consultancy predicts that the millions of pounds spent on 3G licences, alongside the increased number of base stations needed to run a network, will deter mobile operators from investing in the long range wireless broadband technology.
Cost will also put off would-be broadband providers, as the falling cost of DSL access – down by over 20 per cent in 2003 and 2004 – will make it hard for pure play WiMax companies to enter the broadband market.
For mobile WiMax to become profitable, Capgemini said, providers will need to sign up a third of current data card users – that's 300,000 individuals.
WiMax proponents will additionally have to resolve issues of speed, the report said. With current speeds on WiMax networks between 1 and 3Mbps, the technology is still matched by HSDPA-upgraded 3G networks, which offer speeds of 1.8Mbps. Lack of bandwidth will also rule out the option of triple play providers using the technology.
However, the consultancy does predict a future for WiMax, serving communities outside the reaches of wired infrastructure. China, for example, could possibly take up the technology as 60 per cent of its population are not currently connected.
By Jo Best, source: Silicon.com
Trends of the WIMAX Gear Industry and Vendors
February 27, 2006
Research and Markets has announced the addition of Whats News? Official WIMAX Gear Debuts to their offering.
This Announcement-based Data Rich Deliverable (DRD) includes market intelligence on wireless equipment and is part of the Business Wireless subscription. This announcement discusses and analyses the trends of WIMAX gear and the vendors who are releasing WIMAX equipment. Several vendors announcements are discussed in this aDRD. The Expert Guide for this aDRD is Stephanie Atkinson. Forecasts are from 2005 through 2010 and include annual growth rates, as well as percentage of total market.
WiMax holds promise to help narrow digital divide
February 24, 2006
Wimax has plenty of potential in rural areas, as described in this interesting analysis and report on the impact of this imperfect technology.
WiMAX is touted as the tool that will bridge the "digital divide", providing areas that lack affordable telecommunication infrastructure with a critical tool for the future economic and social development of a community, region or nation. The United Nations is pushing for access to broadband across borders. Its challenge, "Information Society for All," resulted from the World Summit on the Information Society in 2003.
A driving reason for the development of WiMAX is its potential to reduce the cost and time to deploy and sustain high bandwidth access to phone, video and data networks to areas too remote for traditional wired telecommunication. This is not just a third world issue; we have communities in our own region that are grossly under served. We may have dial-up access or even a form of DSL or cable. But without the ability to achieve speeds higher than 2Mb/s download and 256kb/s upload, we will never be able to use new tools available.
The advantages of WiMAX are widely noted:
- A single station can serve hundreds of users.
- Endpoints can be installed far faster than wired connections.
- Data rates as high as 280Mb/s and distances up to 30 miles are possible.
- Users can operate mobile within three to five miles of a base station at up to 75Mb/s.
- No Federal Communications Commission (FCC) licensing is required for its use.
- It is a Worldwide standard and same frequency equipment should work together.
But where there are PROs, there are also CONs, and certain disadvantages to WiMax:
- Line of site is required for connections five miles or further.
- Rain and weather can disrupt the service.
- Other wireless equipment in the vicinity can interfere with WiMAX.
- Multiple frequencies will be used to deploy WiMAX.
- WiMAX is a power intensive technology and requires strong electrical support.
- Realities of WiMAX data rates are more like 72Mb/s, less as you add distance.
The applications of WiMAX will be different for every provider and user of the technology. Some will use it as a replacement of copper lines; some for backhaul to a central point; others will simply use the longer distance instead of Wi-Fi. Its deployment should prompt competition and competitive rates among the Incumbent (ILEC) and competitive local exchange carriers (CLEC).
Patrick Malley, general manager at Superior Broadband in Duluth, said 150 markets are being tested worldwide with the pre-certified WiMAX equipment, but his company will wait to evaluate the benefits until certified equipment is available from manufacturers. “WiMAX will benefit both the providers and end users when it comes available, and the customer equipment costs are below $250,” he said.
Meanwhile, a recent report by European communications consultant IDATE titled, “WiMAX: Ready for Deployment?” forecasts the worldwide WiMAX market will hit $3.5 billion by 2010. That's a 4 percent share of all broadband use. This growth will be driven by new equipment from an expanding list of hardware suppliers and an increasing number of WiMAX trials and deployments.
Will WiMAX change the world? Its proponents certainly believe it will. Can we use it in our U.S. regions right now, even as we contemplate fiber optic networks in some communities? Absolutely!
A Special Focus by Brian Fitzgerald
For Business North
See the entire article.
Highlights of the TIA Market Review Press Conference
Exclusive from Alan J Weissberger.
TIA invited selected media members to what turned out to be a very informative conference call on the status of the telecom market. The purpose was to promote the release of TIA’s 2006 Telecommunications Market Review and Forecast book. A few (Wimax-specific) highlights are presented here.
While TIA forecasts a compound annual growth rate of 9.0% for the U.S. telecom market for the period 2006-2009, they imply that this is predicated on a "clear need" to increase federal funding levels for telecom research. TIA expects government agencies such as NIST and NSF to realize huge funding increases as a result of the President’s proposed budget.
Wireless technologies continue to flourish and drive industry investment. 3G network investments are in full swing with roll outs emerging. WiMAX is set to become a larger factor as WiMAX Forum product certifications continue. This June the FCC is scheduled to auction off 90 megahertz of prime, globally harmonized spectrum for advanced wireless services. This includes the spectrum converted from federal use that TIA worked very hard to help secure. They are very excited about the new network build outs and upgrades that will result. TIA expects wireless subscriber growth to slow in percentage terms to 8.5% annually this year. Penetration will increase from 66% in 2005 to 88% in 2009. Revenue will grow at 11.2% annually fueled by 3G, new applications, more services.
International Wireless Markets: TIA sees wireless as a catalyst for growth (GDP). They believe there is enormous potential for expansion, particularly in China and India. Those two countries alone will add more than 400 million wireless subscribers during the next four years. Except for Europe, where the subscriber base is saturated, each region will average double-digit annual growth
Mobile WiMAX to Overshadow Fixed-only WiMAX by 2010
February 15, 2006
WiMAX will quickly dominate the fixed broadband wireless market, but its success in the mobile arena will be slower and more difficult to achieve, according to “Fixed or mobile WiMAX? Forecasts and assessment for the transition from 802.16-2004 to 802.16e WiMAX”, a new report from Senza Fili Consulting.
Despite this, 802.16e—the version of WiMAX that supports mobile access—will be the clear winner over 802.16-2004, which only supports fixed services. Its superior performance meets the requirements of both fixed and mobile service providers and creates the economies of scale needed to drive equipment prices down. Even though it will not be available for a year or more after 802.16-2004, 57% of WiMAX subscribers will be using 802.16e by 2010.
However, mobile operators with 3G networks will not be the first to adopt WiMAX, according to Monica Paolini, author of the report. “New and established service providers that are eager to enter the mobility and portability market, but do not have cellular spectrum, will drive WiMAX adoption,” she said.
By 2010, there will be 15.4 million WiMAX subscribers worldwide, generating US$16.5 billion in service revenues. “The hottest markets will be emerging countries like China and Mexico where WiMAX is a cost-effective last-mile solution, and countries like Korea with a high demand for portable and mobile services,” said Paolini. In 2010, 41% of subscribers will be in Asia-Pacific countries.
WiMAX’s success will depend on the availability of 802.16e WiMAX-certified products early in 2007 and on a substantial price reduction for portable and mobile subscriber units, which Senza Fili Consulting forecast to decline to the US$140-190 range by 2010.
This report assesses the technology and market potential of mobile and fixed WiMAX over the next five years. It includes an in-depth forecast of subscribers, service revenues and equipment revenues for 15 countries, six regions and for the worldwide market.
WiMax offers better value than 3G
February 11, 2006
WiMax will become a key base technology for new telcos deploying voice and high-speed data services, while many established carriers will use it to provide faster services and to reduce costs, new research has predicted.
Analyst firm TelecomView's latest report suggested that WiMax wireless wide area network broadband will become increasingly significant over the next five years.
"We forecast that WiMax will become an important part of mobile networks," said Ian Cox, principal analyst at TelecomView and co-author of the report.
"We think that WiMax will have 16 per cent of the subscribers and account for 16 per cent of capital expenditure in high-speed mobile networks in 2011."
Bob Larribeau, principal analyst at TelecomView and co-author of the report, added: "Our business case shows that the return on investment for WiMax is significantly better than for 3G technologies.
"WiMax will put the green field operator into a superior position and will push its adoption by the existing wireless carriers in order to remain competitive and reduce costs."
Asia Pacific may hold 44% of WiMAX market by 2009
February 11, 2006
As per the latest market research report “WiMAX Market Forecast (2006-2010)” by RNCOS, the subscriber base in the Asia Pacific region is expected to cross the 80,000 mark in 2005 and swell to over 3.78 million subscribers through 2009. WiMAX subscribers in the Asia Pacific region would constitute 44% of the worldwide subscribers by 2009.
The leading cellular service provider and mobile handset manufacturing company Alcatel is taking various measures to consolidate its position in the Indian handset market. Alcatel is going to utilize its wireless technology for providing high-speed telecommunications all over the world. It is also going to increasingly shift its major portion of R&D activities to India and China.
The implementation of WiMAX networks may be impeded due to the regional variations in spectrum regulations and competition from other new emerging mobile technologies.
The report gives an in depth analysis of the equipment revenue and unit sales forecasts for the South East Asian region through 2009. It reveals that South Korea is expected to provide the highest regional WiMAX equipment income of 41% in 2009, followed by China at 33% and Japan at a mere 18%. High average revenue per unit (ARPU) resulting from a large subscriber base developed by competitive wireless service providers, will assign the highest WiMAX service revenue to South Korea in 2009.
WiMAX and its different versions will provide high speed connectivity at speeds up to 70Mb/s over a range of 31 miles around the point of access. WiMAX is primarily built around broadband data, rather than voice, while 3G is primarily build around voice, with support for data services. Third generation (3G) cellular networks, such as GSM which are being rolled out worldwide, allows accessing the Internet at the speeds of up to 2Mb/s. The analysts are of the opinion that WiMAX equipment expenditure in the Asia Pacific region will amount to $2.0 billion by 2009. Existing mobile operators who want to provide broadband data and voice services could also utilize the technology.
Shipments of WiMAX equipment to reach 7.2M in 2010
February 02, 2006
The recent certification of commercial WiMAX gear represents a major milestone for the 802.16 industry but competition looms from existing and evolving IP based wireless technologies, according to a new study from Research and Markets. Alternatives to WiMAX such as FLASH-OFDM, UMTS-TDD and in some cases TD-SCDMA or HSDPA are being considered worldwide, the newly-published Emerging Wireless 2006 study also reports.
"Right now the competitive scenario suggests a fragmented market with diverse opportunities for vendors and operators alike," said report author Andy Fuertes. "WiMAX backers are expected to establish a healthy marketplace in the fixed marketplace and also within certain mobile segments, particularly in those nations deploying basic telecommunications infrastructure. Many opportunities still remain outside of WiMAX in both the fixed space and in the next generation of mobile networks. Some of these will bring more dollars to the table than we see WiMAX bringing in."
Shipments of WiMAX customer premise equipment is expected to reach 7.2 million units in 2010, according to the study, but these shipments will be dwarfed by TD-SCDMA shipments. The Chinese standard is expected to be up and running in networks by year-end 2006 and will serve 100 million subscribers in China by 2010.
The study also reports that FLASH-OFDM subscribers are expected to exceed 13 million in 2010, while UMTS FDD radio shipments are projected to be valued at $2 billion that same year.
Analysts expect push for 802.20 WiMAX rival
February 02, 2006
The resurgence of 802.20 wireless broadband access technology could represent serious competition for WiMAX, although the current momentum behind WiMAX will help, according to analysts.
Based on flash-OFDM technology developed by Flarion Technologies, 802.20 is due for a push by Qualcomm, which recently finalised its acquisition of Flarion.
“With the closing of Qualcomm’s acquisition of Flarion, 802.20 may get a new lease on life,” said Philip Solis, ABI Research’s senior analyst of wireless connectivity research.
“Qualcomm will almost certainly attempt to rally support from other industry participants, but many companies had abandoned 802.20 to support 802.16e,” he said.
The WiMAX Forum has announced the “first wave” of WiMAX certification for 802.16-2004 with Aperto Networks, Redline Communications, Sequans Communications and Wavesat having certified equipment.
“WiMAX backers are expected to establish a healthy marketplace in the fixed market and within certain mobile segments, particularly in nations deploying basic telecommunications infrastructure,” said Andy Fuertes, from Visant Strategies.
“The competitive scenario suggests a fragmented market with opportunities for vendors and operators alike,” he said.
WiMAX relying on Government, says wireless pioneer
February 01, 2006
The success of WiMAX wireless broadband will be decided by government determination to provide broadband access for all, according to the co-founder of Qualcomm, Dr Andrew Viterbi.
“I wouldn’t bet on it [WiMAX] being a big player. It comes down to economics," said Viterbi, speaking at the IEEE Radio and Wireless Symposium in San Diego.
"If there’s a big push from government towards universal service then it could happen, but I don’t see it. It’s not a technology issue it’s an economic issue."
According to Fawzi Behmann, director of strategic marketing at Freescale Semiconductor’s networking and computing systems group, the next two years will be “crucial” in determining the success of WiMAX.
"It’s long range, it’s got security and it’s high speed – all things that cellular stopped short of," said Behmann. "It comes down to how much service providers [cable, telco and mobile operators] invest to make it happen.
"There’s a lot of elements to make it compelling but adoption will come down to the resolution of business issues."
The Real Success Of WiMAX Will Depend on the Much Larger 802.16(e) Market
January 25, 2006
Research and Markets has announced the addition of WiMAX: Challenging the Status Quo to their offering.
WiMAX has an excellent opportunity to expand the market for fixed, portable and mobile broadband access. Though traction in the 802.16-2004 (fixed) market will be important, the real success of WiMAX will depend on the much larger 802.16(e) market. This report evalutes the market potential for WiMAX in these applications, the technologies that will compete with WiMAX and the potential outcomes. Worldwide estimates for WiMAX subscribers, base stations and CPE are provided in conservative and aggressive forecasts.
This recent report found the following:
- The aggressive forecast relies on subscriber units, currently about $500, falling to less than $100 by 2010.
- Though traction in the 802.16-2004 market will be important, the real success of WiMAX will depend on the much larger 802.16(e) market.
- 802.16(e) offers new and existing mobile operators performance and economical improvements over existing 3G technologies, especially in its ability to deliver ARPU-attractive, multimedia services.
The report, WiMAX: Challenging the Status Quo covers the worldwide market for WiMAX equipment and subscribers. It includes a five-year forecast of the worldwide WiMAX equipment market and of the WiMAX subscriber base. The report provides analysis of market trends including the impact of competing technologies.
For more information visit Research and Markets (WiMAX: Challenging the Status Quo).
WiMax Faces Renewed Competition: Study
January 25, 2006
The recent first wave of certifications for WiMAX products is a milestone, but that specific type of wireless broadband faces a serious challenge from a type of wireless broadband supported by Qualcomm, a study by ABI Research claimed Tuesday.
The first handful of WiMAX products were officially certified last week and many more product certifications are in the pipeline, Philip Solis, a senior analyst for the research firm said in a statement.
"This is a major milestone," Solis said. As more products are certified, an increasing number of wireless ISPs will start deploying the wireless broadband technology, he said. He also noted a large number of pre-standard WiMAX deployments are already in place or are being put into place.
However, while WiMAX has the strong backing of Intel, Solis noted that another type of wireless broadband, FLASH-OFDM, is now owned by Qualcomm. WiMAX is based on the 802.16 standard while FLASH-OFDM is based on the 802.20 standard. Qualcomm last week completed its acquisition of Flarion Technologies, which developed FLASH-OFDM.
"Qualcomm will almost certainly attempt to rally support from other industry participants, but many companies had abandoned 802.20 to support 802.16e," Solis noted. He noted that the acquisition of Flarion by Qualcomm gives FLASH-OFDM what he called "a new lease on life."
The study did not discuss the role of IPWireless' UMTS TDD, a third wireless broadband technology. Sprint Nextel is field testing that technology and recently increased is investment in IPWireless.
WiMAX Getting Real, but ABI Research Asks, What About 802.20?
January 25, 2006
With the recent announcement from the WiMAX Forum that some companies' equipment has successfully passed the "first wave" of WiMAX certification for 802.16-2004, WiMAX is finally starting to get real.
Aperto Networks' PacketMAX 5000 base station, Redline Communications' RedMAX AN-100U base station, SEQUANS Communications' SQN2010 SoC base station solution, and Wavesat's miniMAX customer premise equipment (CPE) solution are all now certified as "first wave" approved.
"This is a major milestone," according to ABI Research's senior analyst of wireless connectivity research, Philip Solis. "There is a long queue of companies waiting to undergo the same certification process. Then, they can proceed to 'wave 2', covering security and quality-of-service, and when they too are certified, we can expect to see larger numbers of products actually reaching the market."
At that stage the market will begin to widen, and we will start to see real interest from wireless ISPs in deploying certified fixed WiMAX solutions, rather than the proprietary systems that have been available for some time. In fact several initial deployments of pre-WiMAX networks are under way across the globe, including a growing number from Latin America.
The picture is complicated, however, by a resurgence of rival wireless broadband access technology 802.20, based on frequency-division duplex technology developed by Flarion. "With the closing last week of Qualcomm's acquisition of Flarion, 802.20 may get a new lease on life," notes Solis. "Qualcomm will almost certainly attempt to rally support from other industry participants, but many companies had abandoned 802.20 to support 802.16e ."
WiMAX equipment seen topping 3Billion in 2010
January 19, 2006
WiMAX equipment sale could reach more than $3 billion in 2010, fuelled by demand from fixed, portable, and mobile broadband access, a report from In-Stat said.
WiMAX's advantages in cost, flexibility and portability will also allow its providers to take market share from operators using proprietary wireless or wireline technologies, the market research firm said.
The market's biggest challenge will be worldwide harmonization of spectrum sufficient to allow manufacturers to mass-produce equipment at ever lower prices.
"Our aggressive forecast for pre-WiMAX-certified equipment, including subscriber units and base stations, is $42 million in 2005, growing to $3.2 billion in 2010," said Norm Bogen, In-Stat analyst. "The conservative forecast is $19 million and $2.1 billion, respectively."
WiMAX Struggles for Respect
January 18, 2006
WiMAX backers will likely roll out their first official products at a wireless industry confab Wednesday but analysts say major hurdles still remain for the much-hyped technology, which creates wider-ranging networks than Wi-Fi.
Products using WiMAX, which competes with third-generation cellular technology and citywide Wi-Fi, were scheduled to hit the market during 2005. But delays in the certification process have prevented any official products from coming out until now.
The technology got a big boost last year when Intel started making silicon for the technology, and major carriers in emerging markets like Eastern Europe, South America, and Africa began deploying the technology.
In the United States, carriers have hesitantly tested the technology. But without certification from the WiMAX Forum ensuring interoperability, official WiMAX products have not started selling in the U.S. The WiMAX Forum is backed by most big companies looking at WiMAX including Intel, Nokia, Samsung, Sprint, and AT&T.
However, a variety of WiMAX-like products are already creating an early market for companies like telecom pioneer Craig McCaw’s Clearwire and startup TowerStream.
The first WiMAX-certified products are expected to be announced at Wednesday’s Wireless Communications Association convention in San Jose, California. These early products are only for the first of two WiMAX standards or the “fixed standard” that will be used for more stationary wireless connections, competing with technologies like DSL.
The second WiMAX standard, which is more highly anticipated, is mobile WiMAX, designed to improve mobile connections for devices like cell phones and laptops. But mobile WiMAX is not expected to be certified and on the market until 2007.
Analysts and investors planning to attend the conference said fixed WiMAX is already a growing market, but that the future of mobile WiMAX is still uncertain.
About 1,200 executives and investors are expected to attend the conference, which will focus on WiMAX and wireless broadband technology.
Read more of this report, on Red Herring: WiMAX Struggles for Respect.
The WiMax Fixed-to-Mobile Evolution
January 16, 2006
In December 2005, Wavesat announced that its Chief Scientist, Dr. Jonathan Labs, was named Chair of the WiMax Forum’s new Evolutionary Task Group, created to develop technical specifications for the evolution of WiMax standards from fixed (802.16-2004) to mobile (802.16e). The key challenge for the group lies in ensuring a smooth transition between the two standards.
What makes the transition between fixed and mobile particularly challenging, Labs says, is the fact that the WiMax Forum is supporting two 802.16 technologies – OFDM 256 and scalable OFDMA. “What WiMax has adopted for fixed is the OFDM 256 mode – and for mobility, they’re pushing the scalable OFDMA mode,” he says. “And they are incompatible technologies, as they exist today.”
According to Labs, each technology has particular strengths for particular applications. “The difference between the two is how they deal with the channel characteristics,” he says. “In a mobile environment, your channels are going to be rapidly varying, and they’ve designed the PHY around that fact. And the more mobile you get, the more challenging the channel is to deal with.”
The group’s first task, Labs says, is to define the profiles that enable portable operation – with the aim of being able to certify portable equipment relatively soon, by the end of 2006. “The real challenge is the timetable that we’re working under, and being able to provide all the documentation and test procedures and test cases that are needed to certify that products are built according to the standard,” he says.
See more of this Insight report at: The WiMax Fixed-to-Mobile Evolution.
WiMAX Spectrum, a Much Cheaper Deal than 3G
January 12, 2006
The price paid per Hz for WiMAX spectrum is as much as 1,000 times lower than for 3G spectrum according to the latest report from leading research firm Maravedis titled "Spectrum Analysis - The Critical Factor in WiMAX versus 3G". This white paper provides an in-depth review of the economics of spectrum for both 3G and WiMAX around the world.
"The low cost of BWA/WiMAX spectrum compared to 3G is a clear driver for service providers to enter the field of wireless services with WiMAX" explained Adlane Fellah, author of this new research.
The much lower cost of WiMAX/BWA spectrum resulted in a high number of licensees with a total 721 license holders were awarded for BWA/ WiMAX against 106 licensees for 3G.
North America is by far the leading region in terms of the number of BWA/WiMAX licenses awarded with a total of 394 BWA/WiMAX license holders, against 186 licensees in Europe, 97 licensees in Asia, and 49 licensees in the CALA (Caribbean and Latin America) region.
Maravedis' latest research also revealed that, contrary to 3G licenses, the BWA/WiMAX licenses awarded across the world are essentially regional licenses. North America is a perfect example of a situation where 100% of its WiMAX/BWA licenses are regional. In Europe and the CALA region the proportions are 78% and 71% respectively.
Maravedis predicts that this crowded environment will result into a highly fragmented, unpredictable and more competitive marketplace with smaller and cost-aggressive players.
On the other hand, a low-cost spectrum has also attracted players with more modest pockets than large mobile operators. “One should remember that BWA spectrum was initially allocated for fixed only applications and remains so in many countries,” Fellah added.
The report also suggests that most regulators have not kept pace with the progress of technology that makes fixed-mobile convergence a reality. Whether it is fixed applications with CDMA technology or mobile applications with WiMAX, the two fields are converging and will be competing for a share of the one billion mobile subscribers market.
Spectrum is a Key Issue for Wimax's Development in China
January 12, 2006
Research and Markets has announced the addition of Infrastructure & Technology Focus Report of WiMAX 2005 to their offering.
As a promising new technology, WiMAX has gained tremendous media exposures through heavy promotion by WiMAX Forum and key members such as Intel and ZTE. However, to make any real progress, it is necessary to capture a clear picture of the fixed/Portable WiMAX and mobile WiMAX market in China and understand the key issues for development of the market.
After careful study, it is thought telecom operators will play very important roles and their main concerns are far beyond technical regime. In the report the advantages of WiMAX Applications are also analyzed from financial points of view.
Two-sided Wimax Forecast from In-Stat
December 23, 2005
There are so many competing wireless technologies and uncertainties surrounding WiMax that high-tech market research firm In-Stat issued two different WiMax chipset forecasts in its annual WiMax report last week.
If the market variables fall in WiMax's favor, In-Stat projects the market to reach as high as $950 million by 2009. If the variables tumble the other way, the researcher offers a more conservative 2009 market estimate of $450 million.
The figures in the company's report, "WiMax: Wireless Super-Chips," include all flavors of the technology: fixed (802.16-2004) and mobile (802.16e and WiBro, the Korean version of 802.16e).
In-Stat's predictions might seem like a cop-out, but they could also be viewed as an attempt to be realistic, enabling takers to bet based on how circumstances develop. In the wake of the IEEE's approval this month of the 802.16e standard (now formally known as 802.16e-2005), for example, the question looms large whether mobile WiMax will prove a worthy opponent against established cellular technologies. Product interoperability and certification testing of 802.16e-2005 is to start next quarter.
Similarly, three Korean telecom providers are supposed to begin offering WiBro-based mobile services during the second half of next year, but it is not yet clear whether they are on schedule.
Meanwhile, although the WiMax industry has been hyping fixed WiMax technology for years and the WiMax Forum opened its certification lab in July, we haven't heard of any WiMax Forum-certified products yet (and some have argued that this phase of certification is not worth their while). Certified products are expected from the more enthusiastic vendors by year-end, but that milestone is fast approaching.
Without certified products and services based on them, it's tough to predict how the services will do and what the demand for customer equipment will be.
Also, now that mobile WiMax standards have caught up, will fixed WiMax infrastructure providers continue to focus on last-mile services or attempt to quickly build out their still-nascent fixed infrastructures to include 802.16e capabilities?
While 802.16e-2005 is officially an "extension" of 802.16-2004, "mobile WiMax extends fixed WiMax so far that you can't really use your fixed infrastructure for mobile WiMax," says Gemma Tedesco, senior analyst at In-Stat. "And the push is toward getting to mobile WiMax as soon as possible. It's not clear what the fixed infrastructure providers are going to do."
Article By Joanie Wexler for TechWorld.
WiMax not expected to have huge impact on cell industry
December 22, 2005
WiMax is getting a lot of press these days, but a new report suggests that it won’t have a huge impact on the cellular industry. One problem is that mobile WiMax, or 802.16e, will not be commercially deployed until 2007. That gives the competition a big head start.
The Worldwide Cellular Infrastructure Report – 6th Edition forecasts that there will be 13 million users of the standard by 2010. This is well below what the strong supporters would claim.
The problem faced by WiMax, according to the report, is that operators are already deploying HSDPA, HSUPA and EVDO in lucrative markets around the world. The markets will be served by the time WiMax is available. They will be left with developing markets, which need services which do not require WiMax, such as basic voice and simple data transmission. The economics of WiMax are also not, at this point, favoring mass deployments of the technology.
New developments boost WiMAX growth
December 22, 2005
Despite regulatory hurdles and the absence of a common worldwide frequency band, the WiMAX market is expected to hit $3.5 billion by 2010 and account for 4% of overall broadband usage.
According to Alexander Resources, market growth will be fueled by developments on the supply side as equipment manufacturers and component suppliers form strategic partnerships with each other and even establish dedicated WiMAX programs.
Also, the lack of high-quality DSL access in some suburban business districts will encourage WiMAX deployment. Even in urban areas, the technology is expected to compete with DSL and broadband cable.
Turning the Tables: What ABI Research Believes Won't Happen in 2006
December 20, 2005
In a new twist on the old year's-end activity of surveying the year just past and speculating about what the new one will bring, ABI Research has released a white paper titled "What Isn't Going to Happen in 2006". The paper is available free on the company's Web site.
Lots of things won't happen in 2006, of course. So ABI Research's analysts focused on several of the company's core areas of expertise: telematics, semiconductors, wireless communications and RFID. And by identifying over-hyped technologies that won't be next year's Big Thing, they of course shed light on what will happen as we approach mid-decade.
Their conclusions range from the surprising - that 2006 will (like every year since 2001) not be "the year of WCDMA" -- to the provocative: that the backers of WiMAX are trying to take credit for Korean WiBro developers' hard work.
They discuss the continuing absence of EPC-IS-driven deployments in Wal-Mart mandate companies.
And they assess the prospects for broadcast mobile video.
With its mix of expert opinion and educated speculation, "What Isn't Going to Happen in 2006" makes for a lively and informative read.
WiMAX Chipset Market Faces Uncertainty
December 14, 2005
WiMAX technology has enormous potential, as it promises to satisfy a strong demand for ubiquitous mobile broadband, but competing technologies are significant threats, reports In-Stat.
While much uncertainty remains in this market, the high-tech market research firm foresees the WiMAX chipset market reaching as high as $950 million in 2009. Another plausible, more conservative scenario, pegs this market at $450 million in 2009.
"Competing technologies include 3G technologies on the cellular side (EV-DO, HSDPA) and Wi-Fi (coupled with wireless mesh networking) on the networking side," says Gemma Tedesco, In-Stat analyst. "Persuading the large service providers to build infrastructures to support WiMAX will be the key for WiMAX boosters, especially convincing cellular operators, who already have built out expensive 3G infrastructures."
A recent report by In-Stat found the following:
- Despite tremendous hype around WiMAX, the WiMAX chipset market has a relatively small number of players, as the market is quite nascent.
- There has been much innovation in WiMAX chipsets this year. Heavyweights Intel and Fujitsu released WiMAX PHY and MAC System-on-a-Chip (SoC) solutions this year, along with start-ups Sequans and Wavesat. Signal processing specialist, picoChip, powered the market for macro base stations chipsets, with its software reference designs.
- Intel, perhaps WiMAX’s biggest cheerleader, has the power to drive mobile WiMAX into becoming a standard embedded feature within mobile PCs, as Intel did with Wi-Fi in its Centrino mobile platform.
Released by In-Stat.
WiMAX Certification to Boost Rollout of WiMAX Networks
December 12, 2005
Amidst all the new hype surrounding the ratification of the Mobile WiMax protocol - and despite some vendors claiming to provide WiMAX products - at present, only a pre-WiMAX solution exists and most vendors are undergoing the WiMAX Forum certification testing for 802.16d (the fixed wireless broadband standard). Conformance testing procedures will be held towards the end of 2005 to determine if the specifications of a vendor's equipment comply with the Protocol Implementation Conformation Statement (PICS).
One research analyst believes that, "Once fixed WiMAX i.e. 802.16d equipment get WiMAX certified, service providers would be more forthcoming in rolling out a nationwide WiMAX service in the licensed bands", says Luke Thomas, Senior Research Analyst at Frost and Sullivan (http://wireless.frost.com).
However, the time-to-market issue challenges the success of the WiMAX market, with the first WiMAX certified 802.16d product anticipated to penetrate the market only by the first half of 2006.
"Also, with continued delays in the certification process with 802.16d and issues pertaining to spectrum allocation, other competing technologies such as Wi-Fi and 3G will gain more momentum within the European wireless industry," cautions Mr. Thomas.
The mobile standard, 802.16e is the major driver in the European WiMAX market, which has succeeded in creating the hype that surrounds WiMAX. Using scalable orthogonal frequency division multiple access (S-OFDMA) technology, it will offer an immediate portable solution, and ultimately a full-scale mobile solution, unlike the 802.16d standard.
However, the 802.16e - ratified over the last few days of 2005 - and the subsequent certification testing will only take place in the third or fourth quarter of 2006. "As the mobile WiMAX, 802.16e, will be a published standard only by the end of 2005, there are growing concerns if service providers need to immediately roll out a fixed 802.16d network or wait for the fixed/portable 802.16e standard," explains Mr. Thomas. "Also, as 802.16d is not compatible with 802.16e, the business model would vary considerably, depending on which standard the service provider decides to deploy."
Therefore, the researchers believe that this delay in the rollout of certified 802.16e products will spur the usage of WiMax as a cost-effective backhaul solution to Wi-Fi hotspots. Moreover, a backhaul solution in the licensed spectrum will result in inefficient usage of the available spectrum and service providers will find it uneconomical to deploy a WiMAX solution in the presence of a third generation (3G) network rollout.
NextWeb and QRA Survey Pre-WiMAX Service Users
December 08, 2005
NextWeb, California's largest fixed-wireless Internet service provider for business and QRA, Inc. -- Quality Resource Associates, a nationally recognized leader in primary market research, announced today the completion of a first-ever market study of customer attitudes regarding pre-WiMAX business Internet service.
Over 85% of customers who responded to the survey indicated that fixed wireless broadband service is at least as good (33%), and for many, better (49%), than their previous (usually DSL or wireline T1) service, indicating broad market appeal for this emerging alternative to wireline Internet service.
Nearly half (48%) of those surveyed said they were "familiar" with the emerging WiMAX standard. NextWeb has been a member of the WiMAX Forum since late in 2004, and is actively implementing pre-WiMAX technology in its carrier-class fixed wireless broadband network.
Among other findings: Click to get the Full Story (PR Newswire).
As the Hype Clears, ABI Research Sees a Complementary Role for WiMAX
December 06, 2005
When ABI Research's last annual study of WiMAX was published at the end of 2004, the hype around the new wireless broadband technology was flying thick and fast. Performance claims of 75 Mbps speeds at distances up to 30 miles (48 km) were common.
Fast-forward a year, and, according to ABI Research's latest WiMAX study, much of that hype has been replaced by a more realistic assessment of WiMAX's performance and role. According to the study's author, senior analyst Philip Solis, "Those who made extravagant performance claims were just trying to get the wheels of the WiMAX bandwagon moving. Today, most commentators have no problem admitting that real-world speeds, depending as they do on the number of users per base station sector and their distance from the base-station, will be far slower than media reports had previously suggested."
Given this new sense of realism, some question the need for WiMAX, certainly for 802.16e mobile WiMAX. In a recent press release, another ABI Research analyst, Alan Varghese, noted the nagging question: since they appear to meet many of the same demands, do we really need both cellular services and WiMAX?
In reply, Solis says that "Mobile WiMAX will eventually form part of cellular providers' networks, alleviating network congestion in urban areas. Providers will use it to offload part of the data traffic. At the same time, WiMAX is becoming a stepping-stone to 4G mobile services, which will be based on related technologies."
WiMAX: The Market for 802.16-2004 and 802.16e examines the important drivers and inhibitors of this market, explaining mobile broadband technologies and how the WiMAX market will evolve.
"WISPS such as TowerStream and Clearwire will start offering services first," says Solis. "When they change to it, that will kickstart the competition for cellular operators. However, these companies will only begin their migration when the cost of WiMAX equipment drops below that of the proprietary solutions they use now."
2006 to be a critical year for US license holders
December 05, 2005
2006 will be a critical year for WCS license holders as their licenses are set to expire in 2007 according to Maravedis latest report: "BRS, EBS and WCS Regulatory and Licensing Analysis". This report provides an in-depth review of the technical and licensing rules applying for EBS, BRS and WCS bands in the USA.
"The fifteen WCS License holders are getting ready for a significant push in 2006-2007 as most of the WCS licenses were granted in 1997 and are due to expire in 2007. RFPs activity has increased significantly in 2005 from those license holders as confirmed by vendors themselves", explained Fellah. “The challenge for operators is that WiMAX radios in the 2.3/2.5GHz bands will not be commercially available until at least the end of 2006”! Added Fellah.
Things are also changing in the MDS space. In fact, while MDS licensees originally paid a total of $216 millions through the initial auctions in 1996, many licenses have changed hands since that time. “Now there are 367 companies using the BRS spectrum and a staggering 1,598 companies controlling the EBS spectrum“, concluded Fellah. This new report provides a complete and clear listing of the current license holders.
See Maravedis for the Report.
WiMAX opens range of design options
December 02, 2005
Analysts agree that the standardization under the WiMAX banner—providing equipment vendors with a unified front and access to off-the-shelf silicon—will prove important in driving the fixed wireless market forward. As a brand, WiMAX promises to do for last-mile broadband Internet access what Wi-Fi did for WLANs. But there are important differences between the two, primarily the necessity for WiMAX equipment builders to use flexible architectures to maximize their potential market without having to create multiple incompatible designs.
Although it has been designed to maximize interoperability by taking only a subset of the much wider IEEE 802.16 standards on which it is based, WiMAX encompasses a wide range of options, each with a slightly different technology or set of requirements. There is not one WiMAX market, but a portfolio of distinct niches.
Some of these niches arise through regulation. Wi-Fi uses spectrum in bands that are unlicensed in most regions of the world, allowing the development of a large, homogeneous market. The situation for WiMAX is much more complex due to the higher transmit-power levels and fragmented radio spectrum in both licensed and unlicensed bands, which differ from country to country. As such, WiMAX deployments are envisaged ranging from 450MHz to more than 6GHz. CSMA is sufficient for Wi-Fi, while a much more rigorous radio access control mechanism is required for WiMAX, leading to increased complexity in the PHY and MAC layers. Coexistence issues for WiMAX are a further wrinkle.
Furthermore, the standardization of WiMAX has yet to be completed, so equipment builders are still chasing a moving target.
There are several ways that WiMAX can be deployed. One is high-bandwidth, point-to-point back haul (e.g. from 2G/3G sites or Wi-Fi hotspots). A second market is "metro Ethernet," where bandwidths of 10Mbps and upward are provided on a point-to-multipoint basis, competing with fiber. New and rural operators can use WiMAX in the 1Mbps to 10Mbps range as an alternative to DSL or cable modemspotentially, with longer range and, hence, better economics.
While this can be a competitive offering, the opportunities are most powerful in territories without much installed copper plant, using WiMAX to obtain access to the Internet—a potential market of billions of users worldwide. Finally, of course, there is mobility; it ranges from nomadic use ("super hotspots") through portable to high-speed mobile data services, adding a further range of options.
Continued on Electronic Engineering Times:
See complete Analysis/Article: WiMAX opens range of design options
REPORT: WiMAX is Set to Become the New Era of Wireless Broadband
November 30, 2005
Research and Markets has announced the addition of Broadband Wireless System (WiMAX) - Market Opportunities, Strategies, and Forecasts, 2005 To 2011 to their offering.
The report positions WiMAX as a strong contender for high mobility enterprise applications. It sees that as the cost of WiMAX approaches that of WiFi, WiMAX will become the next generation of wireless broadband technology because WiMAX targets multiple site mass metropolitan applications.
WiMAX is a lot like WiFi, but unlike WiFi's 200 Meter range, WiMAX has a reach of one to 25 to 30 KM, offering a way to bring the Internet to entire communities without having to invest billions of dollars to install phone or cable networks. WiMAX can deliver favorable cost, reach, security, and usability.
As an example, during the aftermath of hurricane Katrina in the U.S. gulf coast, the communications infrastructure collapsed, except for WiMAX. This put a spotlight on market opportunities for broadband wireless systems for all major metropolitan areas. UTStarcom equipment was used in combination with WiMAX switches to achieve connectivity.
Within five hours of the arrival of graduate students with a wireless network after hurricane Katrina struck the gulf coast, anyone with a laptop at the hospital where the network was installed could send e-mail, surf the Web and send instant messages. With an Internet telephone, they could make and receive calls over the connection that is similar to a low-priced DSL link.
To expand coverage, the students deployed broadband wireless equipment to set up additional wireless access points and mesh them together to form a single cloud that could extend for more than 10 miles. The military-grade equipment works even if one node goes down.
Worldwide WiMAX switch wireless WiMAX market forecasts at $34.5 million dollars are at 2005 anticipated to reach $19.9 billion by 2011. Broadband wireless markets are anticipated to grow as a result of the lower cost of implementing infrastructure using the WiMAX systems.
As China Hosts WiMAX Summit, ABI Research Defines the WiMAX Case
November 22, 2005
If further evidence of China's headlong engagement with the world's major communications markets were needed, last week's Global WiMAX Summit and the WiMAX Forum Plenary Meeting, held concurrently in Beijing, should be a sign.
Companies demoed interoperable WiMAX solutions, and by the end of 2005, said Ron Resnick, president of the WiMAX Forum, the first group of WiMAX Forum Certified fixed network products for basic outdoor interoperability will become available. The event's combined attendance of about 2500 was a further sign of WiMAX's continuing market momentum around the world, and of China's immense potential for both supply and demand.
But according to Alan Varghese, ABI Research's principal analyst of semiconductor research, a nagging question remains: do we really need both cellular communications and WiMAX? They meet many of the same needs. What makes the WiMAX case? "Is it about spectral efficiency?", he asks, "or about end-to-end IP, data rates, cellular network congestion, or operator spectrum strategy?"
When thinking about WiMAX vs. cellular, says Varghese, "The danger is in thinking only in terms of technology and technical advantages. But in the real world, forces such as industry leverage, company influence and competitive strategy play just as strong a role when one technology is not vastly superior to another. So WiMAX will continue to unfold around the world, and those who acknowledge this fact can make it a complementary technology; others will find competition in their backyard."
This and many other issues are addressed in ABI Research's study, WiMAX Semiconductors, which examines WiMAX chipset vendor strategies, architectures for RF and baseband, power consumption, ASPs, chipset availability, roadmap, and total WiMAX BOM cost. It also forecasts chipset shipments and revenues by geographic region, and by end-use segment.
Can WiMAX live up to the hype?
November 17, 2005
By now we are all aware that WiMAX has been hyped as the broadband wireless technology of the future. It touts the potential for providing a single solution for a variety of applications, including last-mile fixed broadband access, wireless backhaul for cellular phone sites and as an upgrade to Wi-Fi hot spots.
However, iSuppli believes the 802.16-based WiMAX standard primarily will be limited to serving niche market applications in the near term. In each of the market segments being targeted by WiMAX, there are competing wireline and/or wireless technologies. To gain adoption, WiMAX will either have to displace a competing technology or provide a supplementary solution.
Because of this, in the near term, it will be extremely difficult for WiMAX to gain widespread penetration into the fixed and portable wireless broadband markets in developed nations.
By 2010, less than 5% of broadband subscribers will use WiMAX as a fixed wireless broadband access technology, iSuppli projects.
With WiMAX facing tough competition from entrenched competitors, its usage over the next few years will be limited to broadband access in rural and underserved areas of the developed nations and as a backhaul technology for cell sites and public Wi-Fi hot spots, said Jagdish Rebello, principal analyst, communication systems and components, for iSuppli.
In the portable broadband access market, WiMAX’s most potent competitor will be Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi will remain the dominant short-range wireless broadband standard over the next few years, effectively freezing out WiMAX, according to iSuppli.
In the longer term, iSuppli believes that the most significant market for WiMAX will be for mobile broadband, i.e. vehicular access to broadband services.
However, we should add that Mobile WiMax is much further off than Fixed Wimax in terms of adoption, standards, and equipment. One problem is that the IEEE 802.16e standard, which enables mobile access to WiMax networks, is still about a year away from approval. Adding to the confusion -- and despite vendor hype -- genuine, standards-compliant hardware has yet to appear, even for fixed WiMax (the approved IEEE 802.16d standard). It will take years to build out the WiMax infrastructure.
WiMax and 'Jet Blue Economics'
November 17, 2005
Jeff Thompson, the newly appointed CEO of business-oriented wireless broadband service provider TowerStream Corp. was on hand to provide some insights in his keynote at the latest Light Leading Live show, WiMax: From Development to Deployment, held at the Westin Times Square in New York City on November 16th.
Thompson hit on a variety of topics during his hour-long presentation, but he focused on how a startup can build and expand a wireless broadband business in the face of fierce competition from competitors new and old, service and maintain a customers, and exploit the advantages of wireless in getting service up and running quickly.
“It’s 'Jet Blue' economics versus 'Delta' economics,” Thompson told the crowd.
Own the infrastructure, own the air.
TowerStream owns its own metro-ring backbone and last-mile connectivity in the U.S., and this is a key factor in controlling its outlay, according to the CEO: “There’s no monthly recurring costs."
Similarly, the company has been trying to “scoop up properties throughout major markets in the U.S.,” so that when it comes time to place its “pre-WiMax” base stations, the firm can offer customers the best line-of-sight or near line-of-sight connections and set them up quickly.
“Customer acquisition costs are much less expensive when you have prime real estate,” Thompson says.
Unsurprisingly, customers for wireless broadband services are like technology buyers the world over: They want low cost, reliability, high data transfer speeds, and customer service.
More services at lower cost.
One of the keys to working with WiMax and the precursors to this technology is to exploit the new applications offered by wireless broadband. VOIP is a key service for the TowerStream chief.
Interestingly, Thompson has a unique take on the issue of the availability of licensed WiMax spectrum in the U.S., something that many talking heads say could dog the adoption of the technology over here.
“We’ll get rid of the some of the weird 30MHz channels from the proprietary guys,” he chuckles. “Things are actually going to improve.”
Full News Analysis at UNSTRUNG.
WiMAX Feasibility Study for California Released
November 15, 2005
Tellus Venture Associates, in collaboration with Coast2Coast Technologies, completed a study for the City of Folsom, California that determined that a citywide WiMAX system is financially and technically feasible, and would help drive economic development.
The conceptual system design and business case evaluation envisioned a low cost WiMAX system with a multi-layered business model that would enable public WiFi access, next generation municipal and corporate networking solutions, entrepreneurial ventures, and innovative applications for new communities of users, such as health care providers.
"A WiMAX system can potentially provide a significant competitive advantage to businesses in Folsom, and offer residents more convenience and flexibility in their lives," said Joseph Luchi, Economic Development Coordinator for the City of Folsom. "We're excited that local companies are already involved in the pilot project approved by the city council, and we're looking forward to beginning the test."
As a next step, the study recommended establishing a pilot project that would bring together interested organizations to deploy a pre-WiMAX network as a proof of concept for the system itself, as well as for various new technologies. The Folsom City Council reviewed the study and approved the recommendations on November 8th, 2005.
The study is available at Tellus Venture Associates.
WiMax To Grow Quickly, But 3G To Dominate
November 04, 2005
The coming year will be pivotal in terms of deployment of new and improved wireless broadband technologies but 3G cellular data service will dominate over the next few years, according to a market study by Northern Sky Research.
The study noted, for instance, that the first commercial deployments of fully certified WiMAX will occur in 2006 and that significant progress will be made in establishing the 802.16e standard for mobile WiMAX. The study predicted 500,000 users will have signed up for fixed officially-standardized WiMAX service by the end of 2006.
In addition, the study predicted ratification of the 802.11n Wi-Fi standard in 2006, despite recent contention over the shape of the standard. As two previous proposals were about to be harmonized, a group led by Intel offered yet another standard proposal.
Also, the study predicted that ultra-wideband (UWB) products for consumers will be released in 2006, as will ZigBee-enabled products typically to be used for tasks such as home automation.
Despite all the new technology, however, the study predicted that 3G data service offered by cellular operators will be the most widely used type of wireless broadband.
"With over 1.2 billion 3G subscribers projected by 2010, it is clear that 3G will be the leading broadband wireless technology over the next five years in this increasingly competitive market," Christopher Baugh, president of Northern Sky Research, said in a statement. "3G currently has a 3-year time to market advantage over mobile WiMAX and will likely reinforce its lead with the emergence of new 3G technologies."
Qualcomm's Belk Dissects Mobile WiMax
October 24, 2005
Jeffrey Belk is well known as a Qualcomm marketing executive who, two years ago, circulated an interesting account of business travel using cell data and Wi-Fi service along U.S. and international routes. With Wi-Fi, he found spotty service, high cost and no single plan across most networks, and odd requirements.
In his latest informal white paper, Belk takes aim at mobile WiMax, a not-yet-finished standard that’s not expected to appear in base stations for deployment until 2007.
Belk’s paper looks at the hype, process, and future of mobile WiMax with a cellular bias. His findings point out that for mobile WiMax to succeed over cellular, it has to have more or cheaper spectrum, fewer sites, and fewer real-estate and zoning issues. And—it has to exist, which it doesn’t yet.
Download this must read paper here: WhyMax by Jeffery Belk.
Also see related article: Qualcomm's Belk Dissects Mobile WiMax (Wi-Fi Networking News).
WiMAX a $3.5B Market in 2010
October 18, 2005
A new market research report published by IDATE and offered by Alexander Resources suggests that by 2010, WiMAX will represent a global market of about $3.5 billion, and will account for 4 percent of all broadband usage worldwide.
The report is called "WiMAX: Ready for Deployment?" It states that growth will be driven by new equipment from a growing list of hardware suppliers and an increasing number of WiMAX trails and deployments.
The report takes a look at the numerous vendors that have entered the WiMAX market, and the different combinations of partnerships that have evolved.
It also outlines different service provider deployment and market scenarios for WiMAX.
Still, the report also suggests that delays in allocations and licensing of frequencies by regulatory agencies, coupled with a lack of a common worldwide frequency band for WiMAX use, may slow market development.
The Winding Road to Wireless Broadband
October 15, 2005
Is the marketing of WiMax getting ahead of its true utility? An article in Newsfactor Magazine conducts a comprehensive and practical inspection into the realit(ies) surrounding WiMax, and the viability of its usage in the coming years.
First, the good news: For companies planning to deploy broadband connectivity to their mobile workforces, the options have never looked better. Initial rollouts of 3G (third-generation) cellular data technology are fulfilling the technology's promise. Sales and field forces can connect to the Internet and corporate applications from virtually anywhere, network speeds are reasonable, and deploying the technology requires only minimal I.T. investment.
Now for the bad news: Although current 3G offerings are a good start, the path toward a truly ubiquitous, high-speed wireless world is murky. Mobile WiMax, the wireless broadband technology that's touted as offering landline performance to mobile users over wide areas, is at best several years away, and some analysts feel it may never fulfill its promoters' promises.
Meanwhile, some firms, like Nokia are just plain annoyed. They stress that for all its good points, it has been overhyped and won't have anything like the impact promised.
Many industry observers are hoping that WiMax, a developing wireless broadband technology, based on a technique called OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing), will emerge ass a viable choice, since it's more bandwidth-efficient than 3G technology or Wi-Fi.
But whereas 3G is now a viable option for many enterprises, WiMax is not. Although it's often portrayed as a "super-Wi-Fi" technology that creates citywide hot zones, most users won't access WiMax via cards in their notebooks as they do with 802.11b. WiMax is really an infrastructure technology, like DSL or cable modem service.
When WiMax products become available in 2006, they'll serve the same purpose as a router, providing the backbone access to a location. Individual users will connect to the WiMax modem via a wired Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection. The prospect of mobile users connecting to WiMax hot zones directly is still years away, however, and some analysts urge customers not to hold their collective breath.
One problem is that the IEEE 802.16e standard, which enables mobile access to WiMax networks, is still about a year away from approval. Adding to the confusion -- and despite vendor hype -- genuine, standards-compliant hardware has yet to appear, even for fixed WiMax (the approved IEEE 802.16d standard).
However, it will take years to build out the WiMax infrastructure, but 3G will be pervasive in about two years. One possibility, is that municipalities will deploy WiMax as an Internet utility service for residents in much the same way that cities once provided gas and electric service a century ago. He believes that cities, such as Philadelphia and San Francisco, now looking to build citywide Wi-Fi networks will eventually switch to WiMax.
While that may occur, and its possible that it may become a godsend in developing countries, many are resigned to believe that ineterference issues and difficulty in the management of zones may impede it's use an enterprise technology here in the U.S.
See the full article: The Winding Road to Wireless Broadband (Newsfactor Magazine).
New Products and Key Deployments Accelerating WiMAX Growth
October 12, 2005
By 2010, the worldwide WiMAX market is forecasted to reach $3.5 billion and account for 4% of all broadband usage. This growth will be driven by new equipment from a growing list of hardware suppliers and an increasing number of WiMAX trails and deployments. These are some of the key findings from a new research report: "WiMAX: Ready for Deployment?" published by IDATE and now available from Alexander Resources, a leading research, consulting and education firm specializing in wireless communications.
This new report provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state and future prospects of the market built around WiMAX technology. An online summary of the additional findings may be found here: New Products and Key Deployments Accelerating WiMAX Growth (MarketWire).
WiMAX in the Asia-Pacific Region
October 10, 2005
WiMAX is often touted to be the next big step in wireless Internet connectivity, providing wireless Web service to areas much larger than what WiFi currently permits. Researcher IDATE estimates that WiMAX will account for 3% to 4% of global broadband services revenues by 2010.
The Asia-Pacific region is already one of the leaders in Wi-Fi usage, accounting for almost one-half of the 118 million Wi-Fi users worldwide, according to Pyramid Research. New data from In-Stat indicates that the Asia-Pacific region will be one of the leaders in WiMAX implementation as well.
By 2009, the Asia-Pacific region will represent 45% of global WiMAX subscribers. Though there are currently few WiMAX subscribers in the Asia-Pacific region -- less than 100,000 -- this number will swell to 3.8 million by 2009.
By that time, over 80% of WiMAX equipment revenues in Asia will be generated in three countries -- South Korea, China and Japan. Equipment spending for the region will total almost $2.0 billion.
Bryan Wang, an In-Stat Content Manager based in Asia, notes some of the challenges facing the WiMAX industry in the region: "Issues that may hamper the adoption of WiMAX networks in the region include spectrum regulation that varies significantly across countries and competition on mobility from other technologies. Meanwhile, fixed wireless operators are not very enthusiastic about WiMAX after having been burned by last-mile promises in the past. Vendors need to recruit a few high-profile operators to build real-world success stories early on."
WiMAX technology has some major strengths as well, as eMarketer Senior Analyst Noah Elkin explains in the recent Wireless Broadband report:
Strong support from infrastructure and chipmakers Alcatel and Intel (Alcatel already has fixed WiMAX products using the 802.16d standard in the pipeline and the two firms plan a roll-out of mobile offerings using the 802.16e standard by mid- to late 2006, pending the status of the certification process)
Cost -- spectrum licenses, equipment and backhaul are inexpensive relative to 3G cellular (In-Stat estimates that the cost to set up a nationwide WiMAX network reaching 98% of the population of the continental US would total approximately $3 billion, including equipment, towers, and other related costs)
IDATE notes that WiMAX technology can be applied to a number of theoretical market situations, all of which are applicable to the Asia-Pacific region:
- An alternative technology used to cover remote areas not covered by more traditional technologies.
- A way for businesses in suburban areas to connect when a good DSL service is absent.
- A competing, lower cost service to DSL and cable in urban settings.
- A way for large cities in developing countries to connect to the Net when they lack an infrastructure for cable or DSL.
Don't Skip Fixed WiMax
October 10, 2005
A recent insight article in Wi-Fi Planet reminds us not to overlook that while mobile WiMax is making many headlines, fixed WiMax “remains the technology’s bread and butter through 2009,” according to a report from Visant Strategies.
While 802.16e, the mobile WiMax standard, could reportedly be ratified as early as the end of the month, “the market for cable modem and digital subscriber line replacement is expanding today, while WiMax in the mobile network remains two to four years away,” says Andy Fuertes, author of the Visant report entitled “802.16 / WiMax – Assessment of Fixed and Mobile Opportunities.”
By 2010, WiMax (both mobile and fixed) will comprise half of a $3.4 billion worldwide annual broadband equipment market, according to the report. With the current five million member wireless broadband audience expected to increase 40 percent yearly through 2010, WiMax vendors “will be perfectly poised to take advantage of this building market,” writes Fuertes.
Ratification and certification of mobile WiMax doesn’t equate to quick adoption by carriers, according to Fuertes. “Certified mobile WiMax equipment will arrive during or after 2007, and mobile carriers typically test new technologies from 12 months to 18 months before implementing them throughout the network,” he says.
The first round of certification of 3.5GHz gear should be complete by November or December, according to the WiMax Forum.
“Most importantly, it is unlikely that you will see any major contracts for mobile WiMax prior to 2008-2009,” Fuertes says. “Fixed services are happening now, and those are vital revenues for startup and existing broadband wireless access vendors.”
WiMax vendors are using mobility to lure investors, according to Fuertes. “Vendors have to talk mobility for funding and visibility while they secure DSL replacement contracts for revenue,” he says.
See full article on Wi-Fi Planet.
Asia Pacific To Eat 45% of WiMAX Market
September 30, 2005
Even though WiMAX faces several key challenges in the Asia Pacific market, its subscriber base will grow from over 80,000 in 2005 to over 3.8 million by 2009, according to a report.
By 2009, Asia Pacific WiMAX subscribers will account for 45% of the world total, according to market research company In-Stat.
"Issues that may hamper the adoption of WiMAX networks in the region include spectrum regulation that varies significantly across countries and competition on mobility from other technologies," says Bryan Wang, an In-Stat Content Manager based in Asia. "Meanwhile, fixed wireless operators are not very enthusiastic about WiMAX after having been burned by last-mile promises in the past. Vendors need to recruit a few high-profile operators to build real-world success stories early on."
South Korea is estimated to contribute over 40% of the regional WiMAX equipment revenue in 2009, followed by China with 34% and Japan with 17%.
Study: Fixed WiMax fails to inspire
August 17, 2005
WiMax equipment is "off to a good start" according to a market research firm, but the fixed version looks increasingly lackluster compared with the subsequent mobile version.
Around US$16.4 million of pre-WiMax equipment was sold in 2004, and that is expected to grow to US$124.5 million in 2005, according to Infonetics Research's report, WiMax and Outdoor Mesh Equipment.
However, Motorola joined the list of vendors who are bypassing the current version of WiMax and waiting for the mobile version 802.16e, which won't be deployed till 2007. "Motorola is not a very significant player in fixed wireless," said Richard Webb, Infonetics' wireless analyst.
The reason is that WiMax is not going to revolutionize fixed wireless -- it is just a modification to an existing market for proprietary equipment, according to Infonetics, and will be used for similar purposes, such as wireless backhaul. The company is predicting around US$600 million of business for fixed WiMax in 2009. "That's not a heck of a lot bigger than the proprietary fixed wireless market," said Webb.
This market will be dominated by existing proprietary providers who are migrating towards WiMax, said Webb. "Alvarion has 60 percent of the pre-WiMax market, and the rest is small potatoes." In this situation, companies focussed on mobility, such as Nokia and Motorola, have abandoned fixed WiMax to focus on the mobile version, 802.16e. Others, such as Lucent and Siemens, have decided to resell Alvarion: "They have a solution, and it's not going to be a huge market."
WiMAX Equipment Off to a Positive Sales Start
July 29, 2005
A research firm says revenue from WiMAX equipment sales are off to a good start, with a nearly eight-fold increase expected this year. According to Infonetics, which studied the worldwide WiMAX market, equipment revenue in 2004 totaled $16.4 million, and is expected to increase to $124.5 million in 2005.
Initially, WiMAX is being deployed as a wireless backhaul solution, but will be deployed as a mobility application starting in 2007-2008 once the 802.16e standard is ratified and WiMAX-capable client devices enter the market, marking a ramp-up in the market.
Outdoor mesh network access nodes, currently used primarily by municipal authorities to provide broadband network coverage for their mobile workers, also represent a small but rapidly growing wireless segment, totaling $8.8 million in 2004 and growing to $110.4 million this year.
“WiMAX promises many strategic opportunities, not just as a backhaul solution for WiFi, delivering additional bandwidth to hotspots, but potentially for 3G networks too,” said Richard Webb, author of the report. “WiMAX may become a viable DSL/cable broadband replacement technology for consumers, and may even offer nomadic or portable wireless Internet access for consumers and enterprise users. Operators could also use it to carry VoIP services.”
WiMAX interest spreading to Asia
July 29, 2005
The epicenter of WiMAX interest is shifting to Asia as the wireless broadband technology begins to undergo serious testing in China, Korea and Japan, with an eye towards imminent adoption. That's the view of Ron Resnick, president and chair of the WiMAX Forum, who discussed the shift in an interview in the wake of the recent WiMAX Forum meeting in Vancouver.
One reason for the intense interest is the fact that WiMAX, or 802.16e in IEEE parlance, operates in licensed spectrum thereby effectively eliminating interference, said Resnick.
"We’re trying to get the spectrum to be global," he said. "We think that 85 percent of WiMAX will be in licensed spectrum." WiMAX in the U.S., which is expected to be in consumers’ hands in 2007, will operate in the 2.5GHz band. However, European and Asian providers are leaning towards other portions of the spectrum.
European and Chinese providers are currently testing WiMAX in the 3.5GHz band, Resnick said, while Korean companies are working with the 2.3GHz band. Resnick, who is director of Intel’s Broadband Wireless Division, noted that Sprint and Nextel, currently in the midst of merging, have the biggest piece of U.S. 2.5GHz spectrum, which should serve both companies well when WiMAX hits the consumer market.
As an indication of the runaway growth of WiMAX, Resnick noted that nearly 500 attended the Vancouver meeting eclipsing the 35 attendees who attended in last year’s summer meeting. "We have over 330 companies now," he said. "And that includes 120 operators and carriers."
Asked to comment on reports that carriers may oppose WiMAX because they view the wide area wireless technology as competition, Resnick pointed to the companies already participating in the Wireless Forum. He noted that carriers represent an international sampling supporting the technology and include firms like Verizon Communications, SBC Communications, NTT DoCoMo and France Telecom.
Come In, WiMAX: ABI Research Says Wider Options May Spur Indoor Use
June 05, 2005
Conventional wisdom says that until the advent of 802.16e mobile WiMAX systems -- still some time in the future -- the wireless broadband standard will be more or less confined to the great outdoors. Some "near-outdoor" systems involving window-mounted receivers may be feasible, but for practical purposes WiMAX is considered an outdoor last-mile replacement technology.
However, ABI Research analysts say that there are optional specifications built into the 802.16 standard which can boost the sensitivity of receiving equipment to the extent of making WiMAX PC cards and built-in receivers a practical proposition for laptops, PDAs and other portable devices. Generally these optional specifications have not been implemented by the largest vendors of WiMAX equipment.
However at least two smaller companies -- TeleCIS and Sequans -- have been designing their chipsets to implement these under-utilized options in the standard.
According to senior analyst Philip Solis, what this means is that "There may be WiMAX PC cards on the market earlier than many observers have expected. These will result from superior chipsets permitting the use of WiMAX in laptops and similar devices in homes and offices within the reach of fixed WiMAX transmissions. You will not have full mobility as you will with 802.16e, but you will have some portability."
See study at ABI's web site.
See other breakdowns of the report and what it could mean:
Mobile WiMAX may come sooner than expected (Wireless Net Designline).
The WiMax Future Could be Closer (InternetNews.com).
WiMAX - Sorting Through the Hype
June 04, 2005
Northern Sky Research released a new market survey and forecast report titled "WiMAX- Sorting Through the Hype: A Realistic Assessment of WiMAX Growth Potential (2005-2010)." The report answers critical questions surrounding WiMAX and provides a clear assessment of WiMAX growth in all regions.
With hype surrounding WiMAX generating a great deal of confusion regarding actual market opportunity, this report also turns a critical eye to the future prospects for WiMAX and the issues that must be resolved for WiMAX to become mainstream.
The report concludes that the introduction of WiMAX will enable the wireless industry to benefit from a number of factors inherent to any standards-based market, including: lower costs, faster innovation, interoperability, more user choice and effective competition among vendors. These advantages have caused the carrier and service provider community to take notice and start to plan for fixed and mobile/nomadic WiMAX network deployments within the next five years.
While WiMAX has enormous potential to offer a global standardized broadband wireless platform, the market will face several hurdles in the near term, some of which include a solid migration path to 802.16e, spectrum allocation, requirements for indoor antennas and initial high costs. These and many more hurdles must be satisfied in order for growth projections to be met. NSR concludes that early struggles in the space will, however, likely subside over time and WiMAX will post significant gains over the next 3-5 years.
NSR expects the market for 802.16d solutions to be located primarily in developing regions and niche applications in developed markets. NSR projects the 802.16d market to reach 4.4 million subscribers by 2010, but the market is expected to level off with the introduction of 802.16e.
With an expected launch in 2007, 802.16e solutions will likely post aggressive gains and reach approximately 8 million subs by 2010. Most of this base is expected in developed regions, as users utilize mobile 802.16e WiMAX in laptops, PDAs and eventually mobile phones.
See report at Northern Sky Research's web site.
Doubts over WiMax's mobile future
May 29, 2005
Analysts predict that WiMax will achieve success in the fixed access market within a few years, but are less confident about how its mobile variant will perform.
WiMax is well on track to becoming an important part of the fixed broadband market, but its future in the mobile space is much less certain, according to a new report from research group Strategy Analytics.
Chris Taylor, director of Strategy Analytics's RF & Wireless Component Service, forecast that by 2009 there will be 20 million fixed WiMax installations worldwide.
There are already several examples of projects in Europe and the US which use pre-certified fixed WiMax, or 802.16d, equipment. But Taylor believes that it is the developing world where WiMax will ultimately be most popular.
"Our analysis of provisioning costs, business models and demand leads us to conclude that WiMax for fixed wireless broadband services alone will generate a modest but healthy market for chips and equipment by 2009," said Taylor.
There is particular excitement about the mobile flavour of WiMax, or 802.16e, as it could provide much faster data transfer rates than are possible with 3G today. Strategy Analytics, though, urges caution.
"Major concerns still remain regarding battery life for mobile WiMAX, undefined mobile specifications, and probable competition with 3G and proposed 4G networks," Taylor said.
Full Story: Doubts over WiMax's mobile future (ZDNet UK News).
Strategy Analytics: WiMAX Success in 2009
May 25, 2005
Strategy Analytics predicts a market of more than 20 million WiMAX subscriber terminals and base stations per year in 2009, according to their report. The need for inexpensive last mile connections between users and high-speed backbone networks already deployed in the developing world will drive this demand. Although much smaller than the market for cellular terminals and base stations in terms of annual unit shipments, WiMAX will represent a significant opportunity for chip makers.
This Strategy Analytics report reconciles the polarized views on the probable success of WiMAX by reviewing applications, number of potential subscribers and economics. The report also presents a comparison of WiMAX to competing methods for delivery of broadband services and content, such as T-1 cable and DSL.
According to Chris Taylor, Director of the Strategy Analytics RF & Wireless Component Service (RFWC), "Our analysis of provisioning costs, business models and demand leads us to conclude that WiMAX for fixed wireless broadband services alone will generate a modest but healthy market for chips and equipment by 2009. Major concerns still remain regarding battery life for mobile WiMAX, undefined mobile specifications, and probable competition with 3G and proposed 4G networks. However, these issues will not prevent WiMAX from reaching sustainable volume in fixed applications.
"Although most of the attention in the media has centered on SoCs (system on chip ICs) and configurable baseband processors," Mr. Taylor continued, "WiMAX should create a significant opportunity for makers of power amplifiers and front end radio modules. The challenge for front end component makers will be to identify the largest regional markets and bands, win design-ins, and then begin to broaden product lines to cover additional segments of the WiMAX market, each of which will require front-end components with somewhat different specifications."
WTRS Forecasts That WiMAX Will Be the 'Tipping Point' in the Developing World
May 18, 2005
A landmark study released by West Technology Research Solutions, LLC (WTRS) finds that mobile and fixed WiMAX will supplement communication structures in the developed world, but will truly revolutionize basic technology systems throughout the developing
world.
According to WTRS principal analyst, Kirsten West, Ph.D., "The fixed WiMAX boom will come in Africa, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe. By 2010 shipments in less developed areas will be twice those in the developed world. WiMAX may prove to be the most significant tool in unleashing rapid vitalization in nascent economies."
"Chipset sales in 2010 in less developed areas are forecast at $275 million and $154 million in developed countries," according to Dr. West. "Finished products containing those chipsets will of course provide significantly greater gross revenues. But the real importance in these numbers is that in developed countries WiMAX will be an 'add on' to existing structures for the foreseeable future, while in the rest of the world WiMAX will essentially be the 'first mover' of real technology development."
Wireless Gaming Sees More Action
April 21, 2005
A REPORT: As wireless gaming revenues grow, so does the interest of game companies—and M&A activity is on the rise.
Funding for mobile gaming companies jumped in 2004 to €184 million, almost three times 2003 levels, according to media research company Screen Digest.
Investment activity is tracking the rising revenues of the mobile gaming sector. Screen Digest finds that worldwide spending on mobile games downloading totaled €778 million in 2004, up from €380 million in 2003.
In the US, according to JupiterResearch, mobile game revenues rose from $24 million in 2003 to $72 million in 2004. Jupiter predicts the total will reach $430 million by 2009.
As industry viability grew in 2004, the number of mergers and acquisitions jumped. While there were only 2 M&As in 2002 and 4 in 2003, there were 19 in 2004.
Meanwhile, Screen Digest notes many major companies, most notably Electronic Arts, have created mobile gaming divisions, another sign of the increasing attractiveness of the mobile market.
The emerging wireless gaming market will be covered in the numerous wireless reports released by eMarketer in the coming year. In the meantime, the eStat Database contains over 65 articles and charts on the topic of wireless gaming.
eMarketer: eStat Database, Marketing Research, Business Statistics, Internet Research.
Fixed Operators Will Lead WiMax Adoption
March 24, 2005
Fixed Operators Will Lead WiMax Adoption Says Pyramid Research; WiMax and Cellular Convergence with 802.16e will launch battle for mobile services.
WiMax will revolutionize the fixed wireless broadband (FWB) market as expected, but it will be primarily a solution for fixed carriers argues Pyramid Research's new report, "Positioning WiMax: How WiMax Stands Up To DSL, Cable, Wi-Fi and 3G." A survey from the report revealed that industry players expect WiMax to be deployed largely by fixed operators and ISPs to provide backhaul and high-speed internet access. Respondents are also optimistic about WiMax's future potential as a mobile solution.
WiMax and cellular convergence will have to wait until the next generation of WiMax, 802.16e, comes to market in 2007. Fixed carriers with 802.16d networks will be the first to rollout 802.16e. Report author Ozgur Aytar expects this adoption pattern "to provide fixed providers with the capability to offer mobility services and compete for mobile data market share."
Pyramid Research forecasts total WiMax subscribers to reach 10.9m by 2009 with the majority on 802.16d networks, but 802.16e subscribers will exhibit a 64% CAGR from 2009-2012. Early WiMax subscribers will churn from existing FWB networks. Expect faster growth if the costs associated with network deployment and subscriber adoption drop even faster than anticipated. Operators in developing countries and rural markets in particular will have a great opportunity to use WiMax for backhaul and broadband access.
Aytar concludes, "With the next-generation of WiMax, the technology will live up to the hype - but time is working against WiMax as competing technologies like HSDPA emerge. Vendors need to bring their solutions to market on-time and up to specifications."
Full Story:
Business Wire
Realted Links: Pyramid Research.
WiMAX Mobile at a Cross Roads
March 21, 2005
New Maravedis Wireless Broadband Research Study Projects Market Growth and Analyzes Competing Mobile Wireless Broadband Technologies.
Maravedis announced a comprehensive WiMAX and wireless broadband market research report entitled “WiMAX and Broadband Wireless (Sub-11Ghz) Worldwide Market Analysis and Trends 2005-2010”. The 270 page third edition study reports that the broadband wireless market (sub-11Ghz) has grown from $430 million in 2003 to $562 million in 2004, a 30% increase. Maravedis projects that the market will exceed $2 billion by the end of 2009.
“The top two pre-requisites for WiMAX success according to service providers surveyed is a CPE below $300 and higher throughput” says Adlane Fellah, principal researcher and founder of Maravedis (and contributor to WiMaxxed).
Fellah continued, “Service providers and end-users will benefit from the adoption of WiMAX systems which will help reduce equipment and component costs through integration and economies of scale. We expect the cost reduction impact to be mostly on the CPE and foresee data only CPE at less than $100 by 2010.”
The report contains research, analysis and forecasts for point to point and point to multi-point systems derived from interviews of service providers, regulators in fifty countries, 802.16 chipset vendors, WiMAX and proprietary system vendors, as well as large infrastructure suppliers.
"WiMAX and Broadband Wireless (Sub-11Ghz) Worldwide Market Analysis and Trends 2005-2010” is available now at USD $3,495.00 for a single user license.
Download the full Press Release and Synopsis (Word Doc).
The Race for the 802.16 Chipset Markets
January 10, 2005
Special Review by Maravedis Inc.
Distributed by WiMaxxed Media.
In light of the recent announcement by Wavesat that the first 802.16 compliant chip is finally being shipped to BWA equipment manufacturers, the following article provides an in-depth analysis of the current status of 802.16 chipset competitive landscape and technology roadmap. The article provides an overview of Wavesat before looking at the various player's respective strategies, product offering and roadmap. The article also includes a discussion about the expected cost of the various sub-components and the challenges that mobility poses to WiMAX.
Download: The Race for the 802.16 Chipset Markets. (Note: PDF file).
IDC Report Cautions on WiMAX Moves
December 19, 2004
An IDC report cautions wireless networking and broadband silicon suppliers against being overly optimistic about WiMAX. The high-speed wireless technology presents a potential opportunity, but "it is still too early for communications IC vendors to commit to this technology," the market research firm said.
Despite such forecasts, several vendors are already moving aggressively in the field including Intel, Fujitsu Microelectronics America, and Wi-LAN Inc.
"Until major service providers make a firm commitment to deploy WiMAX, only a niche market opportunity exists through 2008," IDC stated, adding that there is a question "whether or not there is room for WiMAX to coexist among numerous other wired and wireless networking technologies."
While IDC asserts WiMAX represent a cheaper alternative to T-1 lines for wireless hotspot backhaul, it questions whether potential volume will justify network investment. By 2007 chipsets could enable WiMAX technology in laptop PCs.
A Wireless Military and WiMax
November 16, 2004
Will the military go wireless? Well, in many ways, it already has. Wireless technology has grown steadily in the military, both in structure and power, and is now recognized as essential for many levels of military communications. Wireless technology is used in several areas of the modern military outfit -- from exchanging tactical communications in the battlefield to meeting personal communication needs and tracking organizational duties.
The most exciting and newsworthy uses of wireless technology by the military are in the field of rapid military deployment. Currently, in Iraq, U.S. officers coordinate various wireless technologies to form a complete real-time picture of the situation on the ground and air. Allowing battlefield troops to utilize mobile communications efficiently within the command structure is vital. The military researches several wireless technologies as they strive to provide reliable data communications between increasingly advanced vehicles and soldiers, and coordinate humanitarian operations on the battlefield.
Some other novel wireless technologies are being integrated into further uses for the Military. For example, Ultra Wide Band scanners are being developed to allow visual penetration of hard surfaces on the battlefield. And, on a more routine level, Wi-Fi technologies keep the PDAs of Navy personnel apprised about daily tasks, communicate orders, and issue alerts.
A major difficulty for the military is researching and evaluating all the available technologies, while simultaneously putting them into practice. The successful implementation of the OFDM waveform was the first step in the Military SDR Technologies plan utilizing the complete IEEE 802.16 family of wireless data applications -- which we know fondly as WiMax.
Such advances are always tempered by the reality of Federal regulations and oversight, which addresses most issues in the military more rigorously than in the private sector. Other concerns surround points regarding protection, secure information, and the possibility of wireless data interception -- which is all exacerbated by the military's acknowledged hypervigilance in a post 9-11 world. All of these issues serve to slow down military implementation.
In the end, wireless uses by the military, who drive many technological advancements, will be determined by whether the technology will be a big productivity enhancer, and how efficiently they enhance the military mission. Yet, while the military attempts to balance security, networking and efficiency of the technology, there will always be a early adopters on hand to give the system a shove in the right direction.
- WiMAX Market Poised to Nearly Triple, Semico Says
- Part 3, WiMax Market Update from the Field
- WiMAX Certification to Boost Rollout of WiMAX Networks
- WiMAX Feasibility Study for California Released
- Qualcomm's Belk Dissects Mobile WiMax
- WiMAX Equipment Off to a Positive Sales Start
- Doubts over WiMax's mobile future
- IDC Report Cautions on WiMAX Moves
- A Wireless Military and WiMax
Alvarion Press - July 18, 2007
Telrad Wimax Solution Deployed in PolandTelephony World - May 22, 2007
Keeping tabs on WiMAX services (Malaysia)The Star - March 18, 2007
WiMax War Of The Worlds24/7 Wall St - February 13, 2007
Aircel to roll out WiMax in 23 circles across IndiaBusiness Standard (India) - December 30, 2006
Clearwire Pushes WiMAX to the Big TimeWirelessweek - December 15, 2006
An Introduction to WiMAX with the Samsung P9000Mobile Burn - December 08, 2006
Maxis keen on WiMax (Malaysia)The Edge Daily - August 05, 2006
Sequans Raises $24 Million in FinancingSequans Press - July 27, 2006
Unwired Doubles Melbourne (AU) NetworkSmarthouse - July 23, 2006
NasionCom to unveil WiMax plan (Malaysia)The Edge Daily - June 29, 2006
Urban Wimax seeks to build City stronghold (UK)IT Week - June 26, 2006
TeleCIS Wireless Introduces WiMAX Industry's First 802.16-2004 SoC ChipBusiness Wire - April 24, 2006
Synterra launches WiMAX network in MoscowDigital Media Asia - April 05, 2006
Lead role for Wagga (AU) in WiMAX pilotAustralian IT - April 04, 2006
Alcatels Conference Call Series for the Financial CommunityResearch and Markets - March 25, 2006
Telsima (India) to launch StarMAX range of WiMAX productsCIOL - March 16, 2006
WiMax is Cheaper Than VSAT (Nigeria)allAfrica.com - March 16, 2006
Wimax can outpace 3G, wi-fi, says AlcatelINQ7.net - March 16, 2006
Tropos lays out mesh plansTechworld.com - March 16, 2006
VoIP Deployed Via Satellite and WiMAX on Nassau IslandTMCnet - March 16, 2006
IEEE group reaches pact on mesh WiFiTechworld.com - March 16, 2006
Crowley Chooses Redline WiMAX Products for Broadband Network in PolandCCNMatthews - March 15, 2006
Quick test of Samsung SPH-M8000 WiMAX phoneCEBIT news 2006 (PHOTO) - March 13, 2006
Start WiMAX Planning Now For Future NeedsTechSearch Blog - March 13, 2006
Clearwire raises $360 millionThe Seattle Times - March 11, 2006
Taiwan government to select producers of WiMAX base stationsDigiTimes - March 10, 2006
TVA (Brazil), Samsung start WiMax testsTMCnet - March 10, 2006
Proxim Wireless Achieves WiMAX Forum Certification for Tsunami ProductProxim Press Room - March 08, 2006
BSNL (India) rolls out WiMAX-based Net servicesBusiness Standard - March 08, 2006
Pan Wireless Deploys the First Aperto Networks WiMAX Class Base Station in Kiev (Ukraine)BWE Magazine - March 03, 2006
Muni WiFi and WiMax great for gamingJoystiq - March 03, 2006
New 2 Watt Linear Power Amplifier for WiMAX DebutsWireless IQ - March 02, 2006
Axtel (Mexico) orders WiMAX equipment for 17 city expansionTeleGeography Research - March 02, 2006
A Word to the Wise on WimaxA Wimax Overview in WIRED - March 02, 2006
Libera (UK) grabs six new licences to back up its WiMax networkTechworld - March 02, 2006
WiMAX to weave a tighter web in VietnamVietnamNet - February 27, 2006
Irish Broadband Expands its Network Using Alvarion WimaxTelephony World - February 23, 2006
Intel to invest in German Wimax provider DBDHeise Online - February 23, 2006
Taiwan's TTC bids to become WiMAX Forum certification laboratoryDigiTimes - February 21, 2006
Mobile operators set sights on last frontierReuters.com - February 19, 2006
Three Vietnamese companies to offer Wimax serviceVietNamNet Bridge - February 17, 2006
WiMax Tempts Israeli IP Player to Switch to SiliconElectronic News - February 17, 2006
Radical xG better than WiMax says inventorComputerworld - February 13, 2006
The W In Watford Could Mean WiMAXDigital-Lifestyles.info (UK) - February 11, 2006
STMicroelectronics Offers Turnkey Solution for Mobile WiMAX BasestationsNE Asia Online - February 06, 2006
Radical wireless (xMax) not hot air, says inventorTechworld.com (Peter Judge) - February 04, 2006
Aperto Base Station Among First WiMAX Forum Certified ProductsPRNewswire - February 03, 2006
Communications Ministry (of Israel) holds WiMAX hearingGlobes Online - February 02, 2006
SNO could bring WiMax (to South Africa)myadsl.co.za - February 02, 2006
NTT plans WiMax tests as early as next month (Japan)Techworld - February 01, 2006
Russia's Enforta to invest $50m in WiMAX networkscellular-news - February 01, 2006
WiMAX and 802.11n Design Libraries DebutTest and Measurement World - January 26, 2006
Sirenza scores WiMAX hit with InGaP chipCompoundSemiconductor.net - January 26, 2006
Invenova's Protocol Test and Analysis Systems Facilitate WiMAX CertificationPRWeb - January 21, 2006
Redline's WiMAX Products Chosen for Broadband Network in CroatiaBusinessWire - January 20, 2006
Air Broadband to use Fujitsu WiMAX SoCEET (Asia) - January 17, 2006
WiMax set to rival Telecom coverage in New ZealandNew Zealand Herald - January 12, 2006
Solar-Powered Streetlights that Deliver WiFi and WiMax Access Being TestedTMCNet - January 06, 2006
Review: WiBro marks out new territory this yearThe Korea Herald - December 29, 2005
Signal Creation Capability for WiMAX, WiBro Applications from AgilentECNAsia - December 27, 2005
WiMAX and WiBro emerge as major opportunity for GaN TransistorsCompoundSemiconductor.Net - December 22, 2005
Will Mobile Broadband Kill Wi-Fi?InformationWeek - December 22, 2005
Blue-i: WiMax to be up and running by next yearBusiness Times (Malaysia) - December 21, 2005
Oxford Media Endorses New WiMAX Standard RatifiedMarketwire - December 17, 2005
Navini trials Pre-WiMAX with BT in the UKNavini Networks - December 16, 2005
Cablenet Receives Bulgaria's WiMax LicenseNovinite - December 08, 2005
Omnitele responsible for WiMAX network planning in FinlandKauppalehti Online - December 06, 2005
Bulgarian Telecom “Orbitel” gives up B-licenseBulgarian news network - December 05, 2005
Air Broadband Communications Joins WiMAX ForumBusiness Wire - December 02, 2005
Fujitsu Demonstrates World's First Complete Video Streaming Solution over Optical Network and WiMAXVarie - December 02, 2005
France Telecom Affiliate Ikatel Mali Deploying Alvarion's WiMAX SolutionBusiness Wire - November 30, 2005
Green Hills Software Adds WiMAX to Platform for Wireless DevicesWireless Design Asia - November 29, 2005
Mauritius, first in nation-wide WimaxMyADSL - November 29, 2005
WIMAX broadband technology to eastern FinlandeFindland - November 23, 2005
Telestra CEO Trujillo backs GSM over WiMaxAustralian IT - November 22, 2005
Firm to put WiMAX video into speeding carstheInquirer - November 21, 2005
Australian ISP Unveils WiMax Like CardSlashdot - November 21, 2005
Australian ISP Unveils WiMax Like CardSlashdot - November 21, 2005
Redline Products Chosen by VIBO Telecom of TaiwanBusinessWire Hong Kong - November 18, 2005
Unwired sings the lonely WiMAX bluesZDNet Australia - November 17, 2005
Cablenet Issued WiMAX "A" Class LicenceSofia News Agency - November 17, 2005
Redline Brings WiMAX To Asia PacificCCN Matthews - November 16, 2005
Powerwave Showcases 3G Product Line at 3G World CongressBusiness Wire - November 16, 2005
Intel Establishes $50 Million Venture Fund for Middle East and TurkeyBusiness Wire - November 15, 2005
picoChip appoints Vice President Sales Asia PacificBusiness Wire - November 10, 2005
Alvarion Reports Third Quarter 2005 ResultsBusiness Wire - November 09, 2005
Redline Achieves TDD Interoperability With Four WiMAX VendorsBusiness Wire - November 09, 2005
Leading WiMAX Vendors Demonstrate Interoperability in BeijingMarketWire - November 08, 2005
WiMAX options for the City of Johannesburgmyadsl - November 08, 2005
Broadband-in-Gas (BiG) a possible last mile alternative by 2010PRWeb - November 07, 2005
Redline's Wimax Products Chosen For Major Network In Saudi ArabiaBusiness Wire - October 29, 2005
Xilinx Announces Suite of Programmable WiMAX SolutionsPRNewswire - October 26, 2005
VIA NET.WORKS Receives WiMAX Test Licences in SwitzerlandPRNewswire - October 25, 2005
New PXI modules from Aeroflex address WLAN, WiMax appsEET - October 19, 2005
Andrew Introduces Antennas for WiMAX and OFDM ApplicationsBusiness Wire - October 19, 2005
Siemens Wins WiMax DealUnstrung - October 18, 2005
WiMAX Winner Picks Bulgarian PR LeaderSofia News Agency - October 15, 2005
Software defines picoChip's WiMax chipsInfoWorld Nederland - October 13, 2005
Wavesat's Evolutive WiMAX Series Receives Prestigious Infovision AwardWavesat Press - October 13, 2005
AirTegrity's ''WiMAX-in-a-Box'' Product is Nominated for Tech Innovator AwardBusiness Wire - October 10, 2005
Intel Conducts WiMAX Trials in Southeast AsiaSDA Asia Magazine - October 10, 2005
Critics: $60 million grant package favors GOP donorAP Wire - October 10, 2005
WiMax ready to be rolled out next year; SingaporeIT AsiaOne - October 07, 2005
Nitronex Announces Family of Gallium Nitride (GaN) WiMAX Power TransistorsBusiness Wire - October 06, 2005
Nera Networks Introduces WiMAX to BulgariaSofia News Agency - October 06, 2005
Navini Trials Pre-WiMAX With BT in the UKPR Newswire - October 05, 2005
Air Force Adds Wi-Fi to ArsenalWi-Fi Planet - October 03, 2005
Will WiMAX Compete with 3G?- September 29, 2005
SightSpeed Partners with RemotePipesBusiness Wire - August 08, 2005
Aperto Networks Appoints Vice President of Marketing & AlliancesBusinessd Wire - August 08, 2005
Airspan Networks Announces Results for the Second Quarter of 2005Forbes - Business Wire - August 08, 2005
Alvarion Waits on WiMax TestingUnstrung - August 05, 2005
SEQUANS Builds Momentum Towards WiMAX Forum CertificationMarket Wire - August 02, 2005
Wavesat Launches WiMAX Technical Training ProgramBusiness Wire - August 02, 2005
Study: Fixed WiMax fails to inspireARNnet - August 01, 2005
Conatel awards 3.5Ghz licenses for Wimax - HondurasBusiness News Americas - July 29, 2005
US wireless broadband firms terrified of WiMAXThe Inquirer - July 26, 2005
Research and Markets: Critical Analysis of Prospects for WiMax TodayBusiness Wire - July 22, 2005
Getting beyond the WiMAX hypeZDNet.com (George Ou) - July 22, 2005
Metrobridge Oversubscribes Second Finance RoundMetrobridge (Vancouver) - July 20, 2005
The Worldwide Telecommunications Markets are set for Extraordinary Growth, doubling...Business Wire - July 20, 2005
ABI Research Sees Cellular Operators Engaging with WiMAXBusiness Wire - July 14, 2005
WiMax trials in ColombiaSemana (In Spanish Only) - July 13, 2005
Unwired and Austar share WiMAX rolloutWhirlpool News (Australia) - July 08, 2005
Micronetics Receives orders for WiMAX Power AmplifiersBusiness Wire - July 07, 2005
ISPs call for removal of spectrum licenceBusiness Standard (New Delhi, India) - July 06, 2005
Alcatel: Asia Pacific will be big on WiMAXThe Star Online - July 06, 2005
xMax broadband covers greater distances than WiMaxEarth Times - July 06, 2005
Airspan Preliminary Second Quarter 2005 ResultsBusiness Wire - July 06, 2005
Wavesat Introduces Smallest Package for WiMAX ChipBusiness Wire - June 30, 2005
Redline and Invenova Corporation Advance WiMAX-Based Product TestingBusiness Wire - June 30, 2005
MTI Wireless Edge to Provide WiMAX CPE AntennasBusiness Wire - June 30, 2005
Redline Expands Its Global Reach With New WiMAX-based Wireless SolutionsBusiness Wire - June 29, 2005
Nasioncom eager for WiMAXthe edge daily - June 29, 2005
Cavium Networks Introduces the Broadest Security Solutions for WiMAX...Yahoo Biz - June 28, 2005
picochip Signs China WiMAX Partnership Agreement with WTI-BUPTBusiness Wire - June 28, 2005
Security processors target WiMAX base stations, CPELinux Devices - June 27, 2005
SR Telecom Announces Development of WiMAX 802.16 SolutionYahoo! Biz - June 23, 2005
Cisco tries to pop the WiMax bubblevnunet.com - June 22, 2005
Tender: Lewisham seeks supplier for massive Wimax infrastructure projectPublicTechnology.net - June 19, 2005
ATT Plans Broad WiMAX Trial in AtlantaWireless Week - June 17, 2005
Alvarion - WiMAX bellwetherGlobes Online - June 15, 2005
South Korea's KT, Intel said to jointly develop wireless technologyMarketWatch - June 15, 2005
SOMA Raises $50 Million for WiMAX / HSDPA PlatformNetworking Standards Watch - June 14, 2005
WiMAX gets its second wind (The Pulse of the Buzz)Datapoint - June 13, 2005
BellSouth's Not-New, Not-WiMax Trial Is Also Not-Naked DSLMathaba.Net - June 10, 2005
Aperto Networks Unveils WiMAX Portfolio; PacketMAX at SUPERCOMMAperto Networks Press - June 08, 2005
AirTegrity: Pioneering WiMax Manufacturer will be Honored at SUPERCOMMAirTegrity Press - June 08, 2005
Redline Demonstrates Live WiMAX Network At SUPERCOMMBusiness Wire - June 08, 2005
3G-WiMax showdown loomsComputerworld Singapore - June 04, 2005
Subsidiary of Taiwanese Giant Kinpo Picks Wavesat's WiMAX Development PlatformBusiness Wire - June 02, 2005
Base Station Interface Gains Test Specs, WiMaxTest & Measurement World - June 02, 2005
WiMAX: Opportunity For Chip MakersIQ Online - May 30, 2005
India poised for a new telecom innovationThe Hindu - May 30, 2005
Singapore to get WiMax service in 2006Computerworld Singapore - May 28, 2005
UWB competitor squeezes more bits through limited spectrumWireless Net DesignLine - May 27, 2005
The future of WiMax - Between the LinesZDNet.com - May 25, 2005
Kent to trial WiMAX broadbandBit-tech - May 24, 2005
Terabeam Wireless Announces Plans for WiMAX SystemsYahoo Biz - May 24, 2005
OBSAI rolls basestation test specs, WiMAX interfaceEETimes - May 24, 2005
Intel and Dovado Qualify Voice Services in MobileCity WiMAX NetworkDovado - May 19, 2005
No one has mobile WiMAX standard equipmentGlobes - May 18, 2005
Wi-LAN Eyes WiMaxUnstrung - May 18, 2005
NasionCom to start WiMAX trials soonThe Star - May 17, 2005
Soon, WiMAX to Reach the South (of Italy)Agenzia Giornalistica Italia - May 06, 2005
Airspan Networks and Fujitsu Partner to Deliver WiMAX Broadband Wireless Access SolutionsBusiness Wire - May 03, 2005
Italian comms minister announces WiMAX trialsDigital Media Europe - April 29, 2005
Indonesia blocks Intel WiMAX moveThe Inquirer - April 29, 2005
Fujitsu ships WiMAX SoC, but where's the Linux?Linux Devices - April 27, 2005
Sierra Announces Shipments of WiMAX TransceiversPRNewswire - April 25, 2005
Aperto Networks Chooses Fujitsu System-on-Chip for Its WiMAX SystemsBusiness Wire - April 22, 2005
One and a half cheers for WiMAXChannel Register - April 22, 2005
WiMAX Market To Be $29.3 Billion By 2008, Trade Group SaysMobile Pipeline - April 22, 2005
WiMax faces uphill battle for dominancevnunet.com - April 21, 2005
WiMax can be a boon for Developing Nations and Rural AreasTechWhack News - April 21, 2005
Hifn, PicoChip Partner on WiMaxLight Reading - April 19, 2005
Wireless: Only a matter of time till VOIP goes mobileInternational Herald Tribune - April 17, 2005
Wavesat Expertise Utilized in WiMAX Development...Business Wire - April 15, 2005
100 mph WiMax hits the rails to BrightonTechworld.com - April 15, 2005
Samsung Electronics Elected to WiMAX ForumBusiness Wire - April 13, 2005
WiMAX development too slow in TaiwanDigiTimes - April 13, 2005
Intelligent Antennas Ready for Record Wireless UseBusiness Wire - April 11, 2005
WiMax, 802.11n Renew Patent DebateWi-Fi Planet - April 11, 2005
Bangladesh deal for Cambridge BroadbandBusiness Weekly - April 11, 2005
SiGe Launches WiMax TransceiverLight Reading - April 05, 2005
Wireless Net access set to mushroomBusiness Standard - April 05, 2005
Swiss regulator launches Wimax hearingheise online - April 01, 2005
Orange trials 3G rival to WiMaxZDNet UK News - April 01, 2005
WiMAX competitor in trials in FranceCommsDesign - April 01, 2005
UK switches on to digital TVvnunet - April 01, 2005
Merger madness hits WiMAXCommsDesign - April 01, 2005
Application Firmware Adapts Analyzer for WiMAXTest & Measurement World - March 29, 2005
Intel Deploys Pre-Standard WiMAXExtremeTech - March 25, 2005
WiMAX hype peaksThe Register - March 25, 2005
WiMAX, 3G Could CollideExtremeTech - March 23, 2005
Wireless VoIP Threatens Cell Carriers, Study SaysInformationWeek - March 23, 2005
Texas City Hires Network Builder for Wi-FiWi-Fi Net News - March 23, 2005
Panama's Optynex Telecom Deploys Airspan WipLL EquipmentBusiness Wire - March 22, 2005
Proxim Introduces Starter Kit for Global Wireless ISP Marketmysan.de - March 22, 2005
New fast Wi-Fi products spark MIMO definition warComputerworld - March 21, 2005
TGn Sync Wins, But Must Compromise in 802.11nWi-Fi Networking News - March 18, 2005
Wi-LAN Talks Up RecoveryUnstrung - March 18, 2005
WiMax vendors leap into testingZDNet UK News - March 16, 2005
BelAir meshes Wi-Fi, WiMAX and 3G cellularCommsDesign - March 16, 2005
WiMax on Trialinternetnews - March 15, 2005
WiMAX Key to Intel's Mobility StrategyADTmag.com - March 11, 2005
Canadian Gov’t Funds WiMax HouseTelecomWeb - March 11, 2005
Airspan Unveils "Self-Installable" WiMax ProductsInformationWeek - March 10, 2005
Deutche Telecom Preps WiMax TrialsUnstrung - March 09, 2005
WiMax May Pose Fresh Challenge...Reuters Article - March 05, 2005
Intel's Barrett: R+D Still Plays Major RoleeWeek - March 03, 2005
TowerStream Preps For VoIP TestInternetNews - March 03, 2005
Delegates disagree on impact of WiMAXElectronics Weekly - February 26, 2005
Navini Networks and Unwired Off to a Flying StartYahoo! - February 25, 2005
WiMax may reach rural areas firstZDNet UK - February 24, 2005
Asia-Pacific Ready to Adopt WiMaxRedNova News - February 23, 2005
Net Phones Key to WiMax SuccessZDNetIndia.com - February 22, 2005
Qualcomm: WiMax isn't magicThe Register - February 22, 2005
WiMax set to transform global telecomsvnunet.com - February 21, 2005
Stelios' crewneck and WiMax beyond BrightonSilicon.com - February 21, 2005
WiMax Technology Could Blanket the US?Slashdot - February 20, 2005
Study: Net phones key to WiMax successTech News on ZDNet - February 17, 2005
Alcatel, Intel team on WiMax, LinuxThe Industry Standard - February 16, 2005
T-Mobile launches WiMax net access for UK trainsThe Register - February 16, 2005
Wi-Fi Alliance to beef up securityThe Register - February 15, 2005
Alcatel to deliver WiMAX ... solution through agreement with AlvarionAlcatel Press - February 14, 2005
Voice Over Wi-Fi Handsets a RealityWNN Europe Archives - February 13, 2005
WiMAX Forum Selects Cetecom Spain to Begin Certification TestingTelecoms.com - February 11, 2005
Alcatel taps Alvarion for WiMAX kiComputer Business Review - February 11, 2005
Alcatel to deliver WiMAX fixed wireless broadband solution through agreement with AlvarionEdubourse.com - February 10, 2005
Motorola damns WiMAX with faint praiseThe Register - February 10, 2005
Beijing Airway Communications Selects ADAPTIX Broadband WirelessBusiness Wire - February 08, 2005
AirTegrity Wireless Debuts Secure WiMax Broadband SolutionsBusiness Wire - February 08, 2005
Verizon Avenue Deploys Fixed Wireless Broadband ServicesBusiness Wire - February 08, 2005
Wimax technology goes live in southwest EnglandTimes Online (UK) - February 06, 2005
Sprint To Trial WiMAX NetworkMobile Pipeline - February 05, 2005
Motorola damns WiMAX with faint praiseThe Register - February 05, 2005
Pacific Internet to push wireless solutionsIT AsiaOne - February 05, 2005
Cisco Weighs WiMaxUnstrung - February 02, 2005
Mauritius Gets... Wireless Broadband Access From Navini NetworksPRNewswire - February 02, 2005
WiMAX To Challenge DSL, Cable BroadbandMobile Pipeline - February 01, 2005
Municipal Broadband - Alive and Well in Rural Georgia!Business Wire - February 01, 2005
Economist Tackles WiMaxWi-Fi Networking News - January 31, 2005
Broadband Wireless and WiMAXResearch and Markets - January 31, 2005
EDGE, WiMax, HSDPA, IMS: Can you pick the winners from the losers?silicon.com - January 28, 2005
Global WiMAX sales to be worth 'billions' by 2008Digital Media Europe - January 27, 2005
Don't panic about WiMAX delayeChannelLine Canada - January 27, 2005
Wise Words on WiMaxUnstrung - January 21, 2005
WiMax vendors focus on mobilityTechworld - January 20, 2005
Getting WiMAX out to consumersTechCentral - January 20, 2005
WiMAX: The Rebel BroadbandResearch and Markets - January 19, 2005
Reliance, VSNL trying out WiMaxZDNetIndia.com - January 19, 2005
WiMax Certification DelayedWi-Fi Networking News - January 19, 2005
WiMax Telecom Acquires SpectrumWiMaxxed Media - January 19, 2005
Orthogon Systems raises the bar in broadband wirelessStrategiy - January 19, 2005
UK's picoChip wins WiMax deal with China's ICTARNnet - January 18, 2005
Advocates stump for WiMax compatibilitySearch Networking - January 18, 2005
Lucent and Alvarion to complement 3G with WiMAX3G Newsroom - January 17, 2005
WiMax vendors creep ahead, look to mobilityARNnet - January 14, 2005
Paint your house to shield your WiFiSun Sentinel - January 14, 2005
WiMAX Advocates Tout 3G CoexistenceWirelessWeek - January 14, 2005
Reliance, VSNL trying out WiMaxBusiness Standard - January 14, 2005
Axxcelera ... Announces Launch of WiMAX PlatformMarket Wire - January 13, 2005
Make-or-break year for WiMAXThe Register - January 13, 2005
WiMax: The Next Revolution in WirelessWi-Fi Planet - January 13, 2005
Intel, Telkom Try WiMAX in South AfricaInternet News - January 12, 2005
Lucent To Bundle Alvarion's WiMAX ... In Telecom PlatformTechWeb - January 12, 2005
Intel to back broadband role for citiesTech News on ZDNet - January 12, 2005
Certified WiMAX Equipment Pushes Into SpotlightNetworking Pipeline - January 11, 2005
Cambridge Broadband Introduce Innovative WIMAX Solutionwebit pr - January 11, 2005
Iberbanda Deploys Aperto Networks' WiMAX-Class SysytemsTelephony World - January 11, 2005
DoCoMo to Supersize 3G3G Newsroom - January 09, 2005
Intel Doubles Down on Digital Home**CES related news - Internet News - January 07, 2005
The right role for WiMaxsilicon.com - January 05, 2005
Smart approaching WiMax with cautionINQ7.net - January 05, 2005
WCA Cites NextNet & SSI Micro For 2005 AwardBusiness Wire - January 05, 2005
WiMAX will Horn In on 3G Data Market3G.co.uk (UK) - January 04, 2005
SEQUANS Communications Appoints... Chief ScientistMarket Wire - January 04, 2005
Getting WiMAX out to consumersTechCentral - January 04, 2005
KDN Intalls Sh68.4m Wireless TechnologyallAfrica.com: Kenya - January 03, 2005
The future in your pocketBBC News - January 02, 2005
Kenya Data Networks Expands...Business Wire - December 30, 2004
Samsung joins WiMAX Forum as Principal MemberBusiness Wire - December 28, 2004
S'pore firm takes WiFi to the Maxnex-G Press - December 26, 2004
Wimax: RegTP recycles WLL frequenciesheise online - December 24, 2004
Airspan Deploys WipLL Network in AfghanistanBusiness Wire - December 23, 2004
72Mbit mobile links draw closervnunet.com - December 22, 2004
Wi-Fi and WiMAX, a Caribbean Telecoms Briefing...informa telecoms - December 21, 2004
Too Soon For WiMAX, IDC SaysAmericas Network - December 21, 2004
Support for WiMax spec heating upCommsDesign - December 21, 2004
WiMAX won’t kill Wi-FiFerret (AU) - December 20, 2004
Company Claims First True WiMax ChipPCWorld.com - December 16, 2004
Wavesat Shipping First WiMAX Baseband ChipBusiness Wire - December 13, 2004
Ericsson joins WiMAX Forum to drive... open standardsEricsson Press - December 13, 2004
Intel, ATT form strategic chip allianceThe Inquirer - December 13, 2004
WiMax to steal 3G and DSL market shareThe Register (UK) - December 11, 2004
Alvarion Acquires interWAVEX-Change - December 11, 2004
ATT calls Intel for helpRed Herring - December 11, 2004
Broadband Wireless Provider Weighs in With WiMAX PlatformNetworking Pipeline - December 10, 2004
WiMax to steal 3G and DSL market shareElectricNews.net - December 10, 2004
Telecom's New Tag TeamBusinessweek - December 10, 2004
Wireless war in St. CloudSt. Paul Pioneer Press - December 10, 2004
Wireless Internet - The WiMAX FactorCIO Today - December 08, 2004
IDC Report: Too Soon For WiMAXTechWeb - December 08, 2004
WiMAX to be clear winner in broadband wirelessEE Times - December 08, 2004
Airspan taps Hifn security chip for WiMAX prototypeCommsDesign - December 07, 2004
HSDPA, WiMax Show Mobile Enterprise PromiseExtreme Tech - December 07, 2004
Middle East Smartphones and WIFI WIMAX SummitAME Info Business News - December 06, 2004
HSDPA and WiMax: Competitors?Wi-Fi Networking News - December 06, 2004
PCCW Drops NaviniUnstrung (UK) - December 03, 2004
Nextel turns its back on WiMaxZDNet UK News - December 02, 2004
MobilePro Quietly Builds Wi-Fi WiMAX Business MobilePro Quietly Builds Wi-Fi/WiMAX BusinessCable Datacom News - December 02, 2004
Verizon-Backed Bill Would Block Philadelphia's Citywide Wi-Fi ProjectWCA International - December 02, 2004
Demystifying Next-Generation Broadband Wireless and the Role of WiMAXResearch and Markets (Pay) - December 01, 2004
Nextel drops WiMax from wireless broadband wish listCNET News.com - December 01, 2004
WiMax: Between Hype and Hot StuffBusiness Week Online - December 01, 2004
Wireless Valley Announces Strategic Intent for WiMax...Business Wire - December 01, 2004
Success of WiMAX in Underserved Markets Dependant on...Business Wire - November 30, 2004
Wi-Fi & WiMax on a Single ChipWi-Fi Planet - November 30, 2004
What If Wal-Mart Got in the WiMax Business?PBS - I, Cringely - November 29, 2004
Internet Access, Delivered From AboveThe New York Times (RR) - November 29, 2004
WiMax Hype, 802.11 RealityWi-Fi Networking News - November 24, 2004
SR Telecom Secures Lead Customer for symmetryPublic Press Release - November 23, 2004
WiMAX clouds hope for 3G payback timeInt'l Herald Tribune - November 22, 2004
Spain joins WiMax networkComputerWeekly - November 19, 2004
WISPs blaze trail for WiMaxThe Register (UK) - November 18, 2004
Fujitsu and Wi-LAN Inch Ahead On WiMATechWeb - November 16, 2004
Alvarion's WiMAX-Ready Platform Being Deployed by Iberbanda In SpainBusiness Wire - November 16, 2004
WISPs blaze trail for WiMaxThe Register (UK) - November 14, 2004
Cisco Casts WiMAX DoubtsAmerica's Network - November 11, 2004
Speakeasy To Begin Testing WiMAX in SeattleExtremem Tech - November 10, 2004
What WiMax Might BeWi-Fi Planet - November 10, 2004
Telabria plans UK's first WiMax networkComputerWeekly.com - November 09, 2004
WiMAX, advanced 3G on collision course: studyiTNews - November 09, 2004
Systems integrators back WiMaxvnu network - November 09, 2004
D-Link to participate at WiFi & WiMax SummitCPILive.net - November 08, 2004
HSDPA, WiMax Will Not Peacefully CoexistElectronic News - November 06, 2004
Cisco CTO beats up on WiMAXITNews.com.au - November 06, 2004
Kent to get UK's first WiMax networkSilicon.com - November 05, 2004
Irish Broadband Expands Order for Alvarion's WiMax-Ready SystemsConverge! - November 05, 2004
SR Telecom Lanches WiMax-Ready PlatformX-Change Magazine - November 04, 2004
WiMAX for the Masses?InternetNews.com - November 04, 2004
Futura Technologies Begins Testing of WiMax network, Kansas CityPRWeb Press Release - November 03, 2004
VoIP, WiMAX to Dominate ISPCONInternetNews.com - November 03, 2004
Intel Backs WiMax Rollout in LondonE-Commerce Times - November 03, 2004
Proxim Introduces Pre-WiMax SystemsProxim Company Pressroom - November 01, 2004
Expert claims Wi-FI is far from deadSearchNetworking - October 28, 2004
Clearwire gets Intel SupportWireless IQ - October 26, 2004
Big shake-up in store for WiMax in 2005vnunet.com - October 25, 2004
WiMax wings into the wild world of wirelessInfoWorld - October 21, 2004
WiMax: When, Not IfSlashdot - October 20, 2004
Taking WiFi to the MaxSilliconValley.com - October 20, 2004
ATT to deploy WiMAX in 2006The Register - October 18, 2004
Tepid WiMax PredictionWiFi Networking News - October 12, 2004
ATT, Covad close in on WiMaxC|Net News.com - October 08, 2004
A Call for a WiMax Licencing GroupWi-Fi Planet - October 01, 2004
Via Licencing Begins Process to Form WirelessBroadband Access Patent Licensing PoolVia Licencing - September 27, 2004
Intel hoping to begin WiMAX rollout in 2005arstechnica - September 07, 2004
Intel's Rosedale Chip brings WiMax CloserThe Industry Standard - September 07, 2004
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