European WiMAX Services Markets - WiWait for WiMAX in Europe?

Frost & Sullivan, October 2005

Delay in the WiMAX Certification Process Likely to Hamper the Success of WiMAX Technology Solutions
The success of worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), which promotes and certifies the compatibility and interoperability of broadband wireless products, is likely to depend on the completion time of certification procedures. Despite some vendors claiming to provide WiMAX products, only a pre-WiMAX solution exists at present and most vendors are undergoing the WiMAX Forum certification testing for 802.16d (the fixed wireless broadband standard). Due to delays in the certification procedures, many broadband providers in Europe are currently upgrading their asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) services to ADSL 2+ and mobile carriers are upgrading their network infrastructures to commercially launch high-speed downlink packet access
(HSDPA) by the first half of 2006. Moreover, as the first WiMAX-certified 802.16d product is expected to penetrate into the market only by the first half of 2006, vendors may bypass 802.16d and opt for 802.16e for fixed offerings.
This Frost & Sullivan research service presents and analyses key growth opportunities in the European WiMAX services market segmenting it into fixed and mobile wireless solutions. It also discusses the various market trends and opportunities while providing in-depth analysis of market share, forecasts, market drivers and restraints, and revenues. Strategic recommendations offered in this study enable companies to align their positioning strategies to benefit from the changing market conditions and obtain maximum return on investment.

Key Participants in the European WiMAX Market Seek a Common Open Standard
As the IEEE standard was earlier limited to defining only the physical and medium access control (MAC) layers, the WiMAX Forum is making efforts to attain a common open standard. History has shown that standards are vital for a market to aggressively develop within the technology industry and WiMAX is no exception, says the analyst. This has resulted in the focus on the IEEE 802.16d, the fixed wireless broadband standard, which addresses non-line-of-sight (NLoS) issues and is a cost-effective wireless technology solution where the rollout of fixed-line services is not economically feasible.
This is likely to benefit operators, as standards are expected to reduce investment risks, permit low initial capital/operative expenditure and eliminate the need for a single vendor for a proprietary-based solution. Consumers are also anticipated to enjoy more choices and equipment suppliers are likely to be able to gain from rapid innovation and avoid the high costs associated with customer premises equipment (CPE).
802.16e Standard Creates Hype in the WiMAX Market
The hype in the WiMAX market has been due to the 802.16e standard and its ability to offer an immediate portable solution and ultimately a full-scale mobile solution, unlike the 802.16d standard. With the 802.16e standard being the crux of the WiMAX propaganda, Nokia and Intel teamed up recently to hasten thedevelopment of mobile WiMAX and standardise both the client and network infrastructure.
However, as mobile WiMAX 802.16e is expected to be a published standard only by the end of 2005, there are growing concerns if service providers need to immediately roll out a fixed 802.16d network or wait for the fixed/portable 802.16e standard. Also, as 802.16d is not compatible with 802.16e, the business model is likely to vary considerably, depending on which standard the service provider decides to deploy, explains the analyst. Hence, while competing technologies such as Wi-Fi and 3G are anticipated to gain more momentum within the European wireless industry, the success of the WiMAX market is expected to depend on its ability to deliver differentiated services, currently not addressed.

1. Executive Summary

- 1. Executive Summary

- - 1. Executive Summary

2. Market Engineering Research for the European WiMAX Services Market

- 1. Market Engineering Research

- - 1. 802.16d

- - 2. Certification and Testing of 802.16d

- - 3. 802.16e

- - 4. Where does WiMAX fit?

- - 5. Performance characteristics of WiMAX in a mobile world

- - 6. Spectrum issues in Europe

- - 7. Market Challenges for the European WiMAX Services Market

- - 8. Market Forecasts

- - 9. Conclusion

3. Frost & Sullivan Award

- 1. Frost & Sullivan Award

- - 1. Product Line Strategy Leadership of the Year Award

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