Mobile WiMax headed for 80 million users

11-12-2007

by Stephen Errity

Mobile WiMax technology could have 80 million users by 2013, according to the latest predictions.

A new report from Juniper Research has predicted the technology will take off in 2010, growing significantly in the three years following that.

In a statement the report's author Howard Wilcox said: "We are seeing more and more mobile WiMax trials and network contracts -- over 50 have been announced so far in 2007 alone. The market is very active in all regions of the world and we anticipate that mobile usage will develop after initial demand for fixed and portable services."

Juniper also expects revenue from mobile WiMax services to top USD23 billion per annum by 2013, with over 10 individual countries having markets in excess of USD100 million. The US, Japan and South Korea are being touted as the biggest potential markets for the technology.

The report also noted the presence of several 'wildcard factors' it said could significantly increase the size of the potential mobile WiMAX market, including the emergence of cut-price laptops, and the adding of broadband capability to a range of devices including portable music players and games consoles.

Two 'gating issues' were identified which the authors say will dictate the level of take-up for the technology: "The twin challenges are for vendors to produce the right devices at the right time and price, and for mobile WiMax service providers to differentiate their offerings from existing mobile operators. Success in these challenges will accelerate market development," said Wilcox.

WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is aimed at providing wireless data over long distances in a variety of ways, from point-to-point links to full mobile cellular-type access. The name was created by the WiMax Forum, which describes the technology as "a standards-based technology enabling the delivery of 'last mile' wireless broadband access as an alternative to cable and DSL."

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has approved a new specification for WiMax that includes mobility support, so it's likely we'll soon see chip and device makers working on new products that incorporate mobile WiMAX. The new standard, called 802.16e, was finalised back in October, but only formally ratified last week.