According to the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), Wi-Fi and WiMAX infrastructure revenues for the U.S. market are forecast to reach $5.2 billion and $115 million by the end of 2005, respectively. The Wi-Fi market will continue to grow as the number of hotspots proliferates, and the emerging WiMAX equipment market would also add to market growth. TIA expects revenues from capital spending on Wi-Fi and WiMAX within the U.S. to reach an estimated $22.3 billion in 2005, rising to $29.3 billion by 2008, at a compound annual gain of 7.1 percent. Spending on Wi-Fi services in the U.S. reached $21 million in 2004 and the TIA expects spending to increase to $45 million in 2005, rising at 99.9 percent CAGR to $335 million by 2008. The number of U.S. Wi-Fi hotspots increased from 3,400 in 2002 to 21,500 in 2004. The TIA expects that the number of Wi-Fi hotspots to rise from 32,800 this year to 64,200 in 2008, rising at 31.5 percent CAGR.
The personal computing device market continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience despite recent fluctuations. According to the latest worldwide market study by International Data Corporation (IDC), global PC shipments are projected to reach 273 million units in 2025—a modest but significant 3.7 percent increase over the previous year. This growth reflects the market's adaptation to post-pandemic realities and evolving technology needs across the globe. Personal Computing Market Development While COVID-19 initially triggered unprecedented demand for computing devices during the shift to remote work and online education, we now see a more measured growth pattern. IDC has slightly adjusted its projections downward, indicating a market growing steadily rather than explosively. "In light of so many challenges around the world, Japan is a much-needed source of double-digit growth this year. Enterprises there as well as SMBs have been quickly replacing PCs in advance of the Window...