WiMAX Gaining Momentum, But Unlikely to Threaten 3G in Asia/Pacific This Decade

Telecom providers have made significant efforts to compete with wireless 3G services with various Broadband Wireless Technology (BWA) in the Asia/Pacific market, reports In-Stat. For at least another five years, however, BWA in the form of WiMAX is unlikely to pose a big threat to 3G, as it will take longer to mature, the high-tech market research firm says.

"Telecom providers introduced BWA technologies to tap into the wireless trend, accelerate wide market diffusion, and to provide consumers with an alternative or complementary value proposition," says Bryan Wang, In-Stat analyst. "However, a lack of standardization and interoperability issues has not augured well in adoption rates for most proprietary BWA technologies."

Recent research by In-Stat found the following:

• Wi-Fi proved not to be a successful business model, but WiMAX is now gathering momentum and is expected to reach 14 million subscribers by 2011.
• Cellular subscribers reached 859 million, with over 130 million 3G users in the Asia/Pacific region in 2005.
• Mobile WiMAX devices are anticipated to be available beginning in late 2007.