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Last mile WiMAX market to reach 47 million |
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Tuesday, 08 April 2008 |
A new analysis of the global opportunity for WiMAX 802.16e to deliver ´local loop´ broadband connectivity forecasts that WiMAX will begin to take off over the 2009 to 2011 period, exceeding 47 million subscribers globally by 2013. A region by region analysis by Juniper Research found that there is a significant opportunity now for WiMAX as a DSL substitute technology. The study explored how WiMAX is well suited to rapid deployment in the many underserved areas, not only in developing areas, but also in developed countries.
Report author Howard Wilcox said: "We determined that the vast majority of the WiMAX 802.16e trials and network contracts which are being announced almost daily will begin by providing fixed broadband. WiMAX can deliver broadband not only to unwired areas, but can also improve speeds for subscribers who are on the fringe of DSL coverage in metropolitan areas. We anticipate that mobile usage will develop after initial demand for fixed and portable services. WiMAX 802.16e is a flexible platform that can operate in all three modes of usage."
Highlights from the report include: Global WiMAX service revenues, as a DSL replacement technology, will grow to over US$20 billion per annum by 2013: The top WiMAX regions for DSL substitution will be: The Far East; North America;
Western Europe and Africa/Middle East. Juniper forecasts that around 12% of the forecast DSL subscriber base for 2013 will be replaced by WiMAX. However, the report cautions that the two key issues dictating take-up for this technology will be the availability of suitable devices, and timely network construction. Service providers need to complete build programmes on time in order to achieve sustainable WiMAX based businesses and they also need to translate the many, usually well-publicised trials, into commercial networks offering reliable and attractively-packaged services.
www.juniperresearch.com |
