|
|
 |
|
Viewing report
|
|
|
|
Getting WiMAX in the Hands of Subscribers. A Survey of Operators' Requirements for WiMAX User Devices
Senza Fili Consulting, Sep 2009
WiMAX operators are the first to build and deliver services over all-IP data-centric networks. They have the unprecedented opportunity to offer a new proposition to their subscribers, to introduce new services, and to build new business models. The selection of subscriber devices plays a central role in enabling operators to innovate the way mobile data services are marketed and consumed.
The report from Senza Fili Consulting analyzes the results of a 60-question survey conducted by the WiMAX Forum on the requirements and selection process of subscriber devices. Seventy four respondents participated in the survey. They represent greenfield and incumbent operators from Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa, North America, and South America, using a variety of frequencies (700 MHz, 2.3 GHz, 2.5 GHz, 3.5 GHz) and of business models.
WiMAX operators' requirements and preferences for WiMAX mobile and desktop phones, mobile Internet devices (MIDs), USB dongles and desktop modems are discussed and summarized in 40 detailed charts that show the differences across regions.
The survey results show that WiMAX operators are carefully developing innovative device strategies. Their initial focus is on go-to-market basic devices that are reliable and have the features users want. Within the next year, operators expect to see a wider range of affordable, feature-packed mobile devices that will also support Wi-Fi and cellular interfaces.
Many of the requirements (e.g., for certification, multivendor interoperability, multiband support, and multiple form factors and applications supported) stem from the desire of WiMAX operators to move to a retail distribution model, in which subscribers buy their own devices and register them in the operator's network. Operators' responses reveal the underlying strategies they have developed to introduce a compelling business proposition for their subscribers.
The report provides detailed information to vendors who want to understand the operators' approach, and develop the chipsets and devices that meet their requirements. It also provides useful benchmarks for WiMAX operators as they refine their device strategy and assess that strategy in relation to what other operators are doing.
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS
How do WiMAX operators select subscriber devices?
- Find out what the WiMAX operators requirements and preferences are in the selection of devices
- Data from WiMAX Forum includes 74 responses to a 60-question survey
Who are the operators?
- Operator type: 71% greenfield, 29% incumbent
- Region: APAC (27%), Europe (28%), MEA (23%), North America (8%), South America (14%)
- Operator background: New entrants (20), fixed line operators (19), cellular operators (17), fixed-line ISP (22), wireless ISPs (31), virtual operators (6)
- Frequency: 700 MHz (2), 2.3 GHz (23), 2.5 GHz (31), 3.5 GHz (38), multiple bands (19)
Network status: Commercial (32%), commercial trials (9%), in deployment (18%), active planning (11%), technical trials (20%), investigating (5%)
The report addresses these questions:
- What are the devices that are most important to WiMAX operators?
- What is the timeline for market introduction and the expected sales volume?
- What are the most important factors in selecting a device?
- How much do operators expect to pay per device?
- What sales channels do operators plan to use to sign up customers?
- What are the requirements for WiMAX mobile phones in terms of form factors, features, screen size and resolution, battery life, and wireless interfaces?
- What are the requirements for WiMAX fixed phones in terms of features, screen type, size and resolutions, and battery time?
- What are the requirements for WiMAX MIDs in terms of features, screen type, size and resolution, and battery time?
- What features and battery backup time are required for WiMAX CPEs?
- What frequency bands should devices support?
- Is support for MIMO, beamforming, roaming, dynamic selection and handover across different bands required?
- With which vendors do device manufacturers have to interoperate? Is product certification required?
- What is the open source OS that WiMAX operators prefer? Is J2ME needed?
- Which network management features and VoIP codecs are required?
- Which applications do WiMAX operators expect their subscribers to run?
Product samples
A sample for this product is available. Please Login/Register to download this sample.
|
|
|
|
