WiMAX Reaches into Consumer Electronics

According to a new report from Maravedis, the nascent mobile broadband market is primed for the emergence of WiMAX-enabled consumer electronics (CE) devices. CE devices like MP3 players and digital cameras require a computer to transfer media files to and from the Internet.

Broadband wireless technologies, such as WiMAX, are now available so CE devices can interface directly to the Internet without requiring a PC.

"Consumers represent the largest audience for mobile Internet products. They want home broadband experience without restriction of location. The opportunity is now for CE that connects to the Internet for anytime, anywhere access," reports Jeff Orr, Maravedis senior analyst and author of the report.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS:

• Embedding WiMAX into CE devices creates new "connected" services and revenue models.
• The biggest challenge for WiMAX is deploying a significant service area footprint. Coverage across regions and nationwide access is necessary for consumer services to be viable.
• Current 802.16e-2005 chipsets do not meet power consumption requirements for integration into battery-powered handset devices. Next generation chipsets will bring consumption under a quarter watt.
• Maravedis expects 25 million CE WiMAX units to be shipped in 2012 representing 67% of all Customer Premises Equipment (CPE)

  "Over fifty mobile WiMAX consumer devices have already been announced, including PDAs, ultra-mobile PCs, and in-dash vehicle information systems," continued Orr. "This early portfolio has to be tempered with the reality that regional WiMAX coverage will not be in place before 2008."

  Posted to the site on 25th April 2007

  Posted to: www.cellular-news.com/story/23363.php