WiMAX technology is entering a rapid growth phase, as service providers are now able to buy WiMAX Forum-certified equipment to build their networks, reports In-Stat.
Worldwide subscribers are estimated to reach 222,000 in 2006 and are forecast to grow to 19.7 million by the end of 2010. Most of those subscribers are in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. Almost all subscribers are using a fixed service today, with the exception of those in South Korea.
"While WiMAX faces many challenges, the biggest challenge still comes from competing technologies and services," says Daryl Schoolar, In-Stat analyst. "WiMAX will have difficulty competing in areas that already have established broadband services. WiMAX will need to provide a demonstratively superior service to win customers from the incumbent provider. Much of WiMAX's early success will come from under-developed regions of the globe."
However, in the U.S. market, competition can quickly be escalated by a WiMAX launch, because the technology will be deployed to 'complement' incumbent broadband services. Sprint Nextel has made a significant commitment to a major WiMAX network deployment. The implications: their WiMAX network will likely be used by their cable TV MSO partners to further differentiate their service offerings from the incumbent telcos.
In-Stat's study found the following:
- With Sprint being the exception, In-Stat does not believe most 3G carriers will deploy WiMAX in the near term.
- Alvarion had the largest share of WiMAX equipment revenue during the first half of 2006.
- In-Stat expects sales in 802.16e equipment to quickly overtake those in 802.16d.
- Regulatory uncertainty and spectrum availability continue to hamper the growth of WiMAX.
Worldwide subscribers are estimated to reach 222,000 in 2006 and are forecast to grow to 19.7 million by the end of 2010. Most of those subscribers are in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. Almost all subscribers are using a fixed service today, with the exception of those in South Korea.
"While WiMAX faces many challenges, the biggest challenge still comes from competing technologies and services," says Daryl Schoolar, In-Stat analyst. "WiMAX will have difficulty competing in areas that already have established broadband services. WiMAX will need to provide a demonstratively superior service to win customers from the incumbent provider. Much of WiMAX's early success will come from under-developed regions of the globe."
However, in the U.S. market, competition can quickly be escalated by a WiMAX launch, because the technology will be deployed to 'complement' incumbent broadband services. Sprint Nextel has made a significant commitment to a major WiMAX network deployment. The implications: their WiMAX network will likely be used by their cable TV MSO partners to further differentiate their service offerings from the incumbent telcos.
In-Stat's study found the following:
- With Sprint being the exception, In-Stat does not believe most 3G carriers will deploy WiMAX in the near term.
- Alvarion had the largest share of WiMAX equipment revenue during the first half of 2006.
- In-Stat expects sales in 802.16e equipment to quickly overtake those in 802.16d.
- Regulatory uncertainty and spectrum availability continue to hamper the growth of WiMAX.