Taiwan Expected to Rank Second Globally in WiMAX Network Deployment Investment

(Business News & Technology News, 10 Aug 2007)

According to the Market Intelligence Center (MIC), in the period of 2006 to 2008 total worldwide investment in WiMAX network deployment is expected to reach $5.2 billion, with compound annual growth rate (CAGR) reaching 150 percent. Regarding investment in different regions, the United States is expected to be the worldwide leader in WiMAX network investment during the aforementioned period, with investments totaling approximately $3.03 billion. Taiwan is second, with a forecasted investment value of $664 million. Taiwan is slightly ahead of Korea, which is expected to invest a total of $641 million. According to MIC forecasts, stimulated by the Taiwanese government's M-Taiwan project, which involves an investment value of approximately $220 million, private-sector investment in Taiwan until 2010 is expected to reach $900 million.

Looking at WiMAX technologies, 12 of the companies which conducted WiMAX network deployment in 2005 used 802.16e technology, while 22 percent adopted 802.16d technology. In 2007, the share of companies using 802.16e technology is expected to reach 46 percent, while companies adopting 802.16d technology will have a share of approximately 22 percent. This shows that mobile WiMAX technology (802.16e) is currently more widely adopted than fixed WiMAX technology (802.16d).

Regarding frequency bands, in 2005 12 percent of companies deploying WiMAX networks in 2005 used the 2.5GHz frequency band, with this share expected to increase to 41 percent in 2007. The 2.5GHz band is therefore the main frequency band used for WiMAX networks.

An analysis of the types of companies engaging in WiMAX network deployment reveals that in 2005 fixed network operators accounted for 32 percent of the total. New fixed network entrants accounted for 15 percent, and traditional telecom operators accounted for 17 percent. In 2007, fixed network operators are expected to account for 49 percent, with new fixed network entrants accounting for 28 percent and traditional telecoms for 21 percent.

Click here for more information