WiMax Market To Hit $124.5 Million This Year: Report

The WIMAX equipment market enjoyed a solid inaugural year in 2004, but according to a new report from Infonetics research, the best is yet to come.

According to the firm's just-released "WiMAX and Outdoor Mesh Equipment" report, revenues from WiMAX equipment sales reached $16.4 million last year, and will grow to $124.5 million in 2005. While the technology is currently used primarily as a backhaul solution, Infonetics expects WiMAX to be an important moble networking technology following the ratification of the 802.16e standard and the availability of WiMAX clients devices in 2007-2008.

"WiMAX promises many strategic opportunities, not just as a backhaul solution for WiFi, delivering additional bandwidth to hotspots, but potentially for 3G networks too," Infonetics analyst Richard Webb said in a statement. "WiMAX may become a viable DSL/cable broadband replacement technology for consumers, and may even offer nomadic or portable wireless Internet access for consumers and enterprise users. Operators could also use it to carry VoIP services."

In the mean time, Infonetics has noted the steady growth of outdoor mesh wireless equipment. Outdoor mesh equipment revenues totaled $8.8 million in 2004 and will reach $110.4 million this year.