A new report from Juniper Research predicts WiMAX growth will begin to take off in the period between 2009 and 2011, growing to more than 47 million subscribers worldwide by 2013.
The report predicts WiMAX will find a strong foothold as a substitute for DSL technology.
“We determined that the vast majority of the WiMAX 802.16e trials and network contracts which are being announced almost daily will begin by providing fixed broadband,” said Howard Wilcox, author or the report.
“WiMAX can deliver broadband not only to unwired areas, but can also improve speeds for subscribers who are on the fringe of DSL coverage in metropolitan areas.
“We anticipate that mobile usage will develop after initial demand for fixed and portable services – WiMAX 802.16e is a flexible platform that can operate in all three modes of usage,” said Wilcox.
The report predicts global evenues for WiMAX service as a DSL replacement technology will exceed $20 billion a year by 2013 and that 12% of the DSL subscriber base at that time will be replaced by WiMAX technology. The Far East, North America, Western Europe and Africa/Middle East will be the largest markets for WiMAX as a DSL substitute, predicts the report.
The report cautions that uptake could be slowed by a lack of suitable devices and timely network construction.
WiMAX to snag 47M subscribers by 2013
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