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Shipments of WiMAX kits expected to rise
GLOBAL NEEDS:
With the expansion in WiMAX networks, MIC says Taiwan could become the main exporter of equipment
By Lisa Wang
STAFF REPORTER
Wednesday, Oct 24, 2007, Page 12
Telecom manufacturers are expected to ship US$159 million in equipment that enables high-speed Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) this year, Taipei-based Market Intelligence Center (MIC, 市場情報中心) said yesterday.
Local shipped US$22.6 million worth of WiMAX CPE (customer premises equipment) kits last year, MIC said in a report.
CPE refers to telephones, DSL modems, cable modems, or set-top boxes for use with telecom operators' services.
INVESTMENT
"The growth of the WiMAX equipment business will be huge as global investment in WiMAX network deployment may reach US$75.5 billion from 2007 to 2012, and Taiwanese firms may invest US$3 billion during the period," MIC senior analyst Welber Chang (張奇) said in the report.
In the next six years, half of the world's 500 telecom operators may invest in the deployment of WiMAX network, Chang said.
"Taiwan has the potential to be the world's most important WiMAX equipment exporter," he said.
LOCAL LICENSES
The government's plan to release two new WiMAX licenses in 2009 for local companies to offer nationwide services after granting only six licenses in July would be another driver, he said.
Moreover, local firms would benefit from collaborating with telecom equipment leaders, he said.
Gemtek Technology Co (正文) said it is supplying a telecom equipment manufacturer with its CEP kits with a high volume.
CHIP SOURCE
Local companies such as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co (鴻海精密) and Zyxel Communications Corp (合勤科技) hope to offer WiMAX base stations and chips, Chang said.
Chip MediaTek Inc (聯發科) is expected to sell its first WiMAX chips next year, he said.
Chip leaders such as Intel Corp dominate the WiMAX chip market, he said.
Microelectronics Technology Inc (台揚科技) said yesterday that it has inked a contract with SR Telecom to sell the Quebec-based telecom equipment maker's WiMAX products.
Earlier year, Microelectronics Technology signed an agreement with SR Telecom to make WiMAX equipment, including CPE kits.
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