Jim McGregor: WiMAX Not Niche Technology

January 27, 2009

WiMAX modems and gateways will dominate the WiMAX chipset market, representing nearly 50% of the market on a unit basis in 2013. Other key equipment segments for WiMAX chipsets include external modules, mobile PCs, base stations, handsets and other portable devices. Overall, In-Stat expects the WiMAX chipset revenue to reach $352 million by 2013.

“WiMAX is not a mere niche technology to fill a void until LTE is up and running, but a complementary solution for providing last mile wireless broadband access and a true mobile Internet solution,” says Jim McGregor, In-Stat analyst. “WiMAX chipset technology has already moved beyond multiple chips to single chips solutions that integrate the baseband processor chip with the RF radio. A small group of semiconductor manufacturers have already emerged as leaders in this growing segment”.

Recent research by In-Stat found the following:

• WiMAX chipset vendors Beceem, GCT, Intel, and Sequans have emerged to lead the market.
• Both WiMAX and LTE have advantages and disadvantages, but In-Stat believes that the technologies will coexist in the future.
• WiMAX stands to benefit from government stimulus and rural broadband initiatives. WiMAX’s relative maturity positions it favorably for 'shovel ready' projects.