LONDON-The market for WiMAX subscriber terminals and base stations could exceed 20 million per year by 2009, representing a significant opportunity for chipmakers, according to a new Strategy Analytics report.
The report, “WiMAX-3G Killer or Fixed Broadband Wireless Standard?” said demand will be driven by the need for inexpensive last-mile connections between users and high-speed backbone networks.
“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 Chris Taylor, director of Strategy Analytics’ RF & Wireless Component Service. “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.”
Taylor said in addition to system-on-chip integrated circuits and configurable baseband processors, there will be opportunities for power amplifier and end-radio module makers. Front-end component manufacturers will need to identify the largest regional markets and bands, win design-ins and then broaden their product lines, said Taylor.
