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Infonetics: (pre-)WiMAX beats mesh in growth while WLAN sales are down

From "WiMAX and RAN equipment sales up, wireless LAN down in 2Q06," Infonetics press release, 6 September:

"The worldwide move toward greater mobility continues, says Infonetics Research in three recent reports tracking the wireless LAN, [GSM/cellular] radio access network, and WiMAX/outdoor mesh network equipment markets.

"According to the reports, worldwide RAN equipment sales jumped 20% to $8.9 billion between the first and second quarter of 2006; WiMAX equipment sales shot up 107% to $141 million; and while wireless LAN equipment sales dropped 7% to $654 million, growth is expected to be steady through 2009, fueled by strong WLAN switch and controller sales.

" 'The mobility market is diversifying, with wireless mesh and WiMAX beginning to ramp up in addition to cellular and WiFi technologies, giving service providers more options when deploying wireless networks,' said Richard Webb, Infonetics Research analyst and lead author of the reports. 'Over the coming few years, these technologies will become increasingly interoperable, helping to edge us closer to the dream of ubiquitous wireless broadband.'

2Q06 RAN Equipment Highlights

• "Annual worldwide RAN equipment sales are forecast to hit $37 billion in 2009...
• "Asia Pacific accounted for 37% of RAN equipment revenue, EMEA for 36%, North America 15%, and [Central and Latin America] 12%; a ramp-up in mobile network spending in 2007 will increase Asia Pacific's revenue share significantly

2Q06 WiMAX and Outdoor Mesh Network Equipment Highlights

• "Annual worldwide WiMAX equipment sales are expected to top $3 billion in 2009
• "65% of total WiMAX revenue comes from CPE [customer premises equipment], 35% from base stations in 2Q06
• "Worldwide outdoor wireless mesh access node revenue jumped 47% to $88 million and units are up 63% in 2Q06...

2Q06 Wireless LAN Equipment Highlights

• "Annual worldwide WLAN equipment sales are forecast to reach $3.6 billion in 2009
• "In 2Q06, enterprise products made up 47% of WLAN equipment revenue, residential products 45%, and service provider products 8%; enterprise products will increase to 67% of total WLAN equipment revenue by 2009...
• "North America accounts for 48% of WLAN equipment revenue in 2Q06; EMEA for 30%, Asia Pacific for 20%, and [Central and Latin America] at 2%

[Wireless: 8 September 2006]