ABI: IEEE 802.16 Mobile WiMAX to Level Asia-Pacific Playing Field
June 26, 2008 // Published as a news service by IHS
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While most Asia-Pacific countries are still processing spectrum bidding, manufacturers and application vendors are aggressively entering IEEE 802.16 mobile worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) markets.
According to ABI Research, as the market for mobile WiMAX expands, manufacturers are targeting new customer segments and there will be a correspondingly huge opportunity in Asia-Pacific regions.
"Because mobile WiMAX is aimed at untapped markets, almost all vendors including start-ups could be on equal footing with the larger, more established players," said ABI Research senior analyst Andy Bae. "They will find significant opportunities in [the Asia-Pacific]."
South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and New Zealand have entered into the mobile WiMAX kickoff phase by completing the spectrum bidding process, analysts said. Japan's Wireless Broadband Planning (WBP) consortium intends to invest huge resources with a clear vision and service structure aimed at providing nationwide mobile WiMAX services.
"Mobile WiMAX is an ideal service format for developing countries in [the Asia-Pacific] to solve the 'digital gap' in rural areas," Bae said. "Further, operators in developed countries could deploy data-centric services with a cost-effective investment."
Mobile WiMAX services will differ depending on penetration rates, service requirements and government regulations, analysts said.
While deploying commercial WiMAX services, operators such as Korea Telecom are crafting wireless broadband (WiBro) strategies for terminal types, tariff plans and competition with high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) strategies that might have implications for other regions.
South Korean vendors are starting to roll out WiMAX-equipped consumer digital devices such as game devices and portable media players. Analysts said consumer electronics will be the leading sector for shipments due to user demands such as user-generated content (UGC).
Source: ABI Research.