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WiMAX subscribers up 75% in 2009, says Infonetics Research
Press release, March 3; Meiling Chen, DIGITIMES [Friday 5 March 2010]
The number of WiMAX subscribers jumped 75% in 2009 to 6.8 million worldwide, according to Infonetics Research. Worldwide vendor revenues from 802.16d and 802.16e WiMAX network equipment and devices hit US$1.08 billion in 2009, down 19% from 2008, as the market suffered the effects of the recession. However, fourth-quarter 2009 was the third consecutive quarter of WiMAX equipment and device revenue growth, up 3% from third-quarter 2009. Quarterly revenue levels remained short of the pre-recession market highs of over US$300 million seen in early 2008. "The WiMAX market is coming out of the recession period strongly, posting three consecutive quarters of revenue growth for 802.16e equipment and devices. With Clearwire in the US announcing strong quarterly results, Yota in Russia expanding rapidly, and others such as UQ in Japan being aggressive, the WiMAX business model seems to be working. Though we are still in the early days, WiMAX is proving to be a good fit in a range of broadband segments in developed as well as developing markets," noted Richard Webb, directing analyst for WiMAX at Infonetics Research. The WiMAX market is showing positive signs of steady growth from 2010 onward, with major rollouts underway in USA, Japan, Russia, and India. Starting in 2011-2012, 802.16m WiMAX products are expected to be tested, certified, and commercially available, offering speeds comparable to LTE. For the combined WiMAX equipment and device market, Motorola took the number-one spot in 2009, with 17% of worldwide revenues, just ahead of Alvarion. Huawei Technologies showed the biggest growth in WiMAX equipment and device market share in 2009, the research firm added.
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