Wireless USB Prospects Looking Up

(Top News, 24 Jul 2008)

Wireless USB (WUSB) is currently hampered by the high price of the underlying UWB silicon. According to market research firm In-Stat, this is expected to limit its appeal until prices fall substantially. Targeted at PCs, PC peripherals, consumer electronics (CE), and mobile phones, the first devices with WUSB technology shipped in 2007, including notebook PCs and hub and dongle solutions.

"The beginnings of a new wireless ecosystem have launched, and should lead to increased shipments in the years ahead," says Brian O'Rourke, In-Stat analyst. "Ultimately, UWB and WUSB will succeed because they solve problems that no other technology can; the ability to transmit large amounts of data from one device to another with relative power efficiency."

In-Stat forecasts shipment of WUSB devices to reach more than 190 million in 2012, from under 100,000 units in 2007, with notebook PCs leading adoption. Competition will come from other WiMedia-based standards, as well as technologies such as Wi-Fi.

Click here for more information on In-Stat