WiMAX continues to make gains, with network trials becoming commercial deployments, and well known vendors adding the technology to their product portfolios, according to In-Stat's latest market study.
Despite many positive events over the last 12 months, however, WiMAX still faces much uncertainty, the high-tech market research firm says.
"Investor pressure could force Sprint to pull back on its announced deployment," says Daryl Schoolar, In-Stat analyst. "As the largest planned deployment, Sprint's actions could impact what other carriers do with WiMAX, and negatively impact the entire WiMAX community."
However, I believe that too much attention is being given to Sprint, as a champion for WiMAX, when in reality the technology's global market potential has never been tied to the whims of one broadband service provider. If Sprint backs away from WiMAX, then it's likely an isolated event that's more an indication of the company's deep-rooted current business challenges .
The In-Stat research covers the worldwide market for WiMAX. It provides subscriber forecasts for both users and revenues. It also includes infrastructure forecasts shown as base station sectors and device forecasts for CPE, laptop cards, embedded laptops, and other portable devices. Updates on key market events over the last 12 months are included.
In-Stat study found the following:
- Shipments of 802.16e-compliant infrastructure overtook 802.16d in 2007.
- North America service revenues will account for 41 percent of all service revenues in 2012.
- Vendors remain uncertain over the form and business case for WiMAX femtocells.
