According to MIC (Market Intelligence Center), an ICT industry research institute based in Taipei, in the period 2006-2008 total worldwide investment in WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) network deployment is expected to reach US$5.2 billion, with CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) reaching 150%. Regarding investment in different regions, the United States is expected to be the worldwide leader in WiMAX network investment during the aforementioned period, with investments totaling approximately US$3.03 billion. Taiwan is second, with a forecasted investment value of US$664 million. Taiwan is slightly ahead of Korea, which is expected to invest a total of US$641 million. According to MIC forecasts, stimulated by the Taiwanese government's M-Taiwan project, which involves an investment value of approximately US$220 million, private-sector investment in Taiwan until 2010 is expected to reach US$900 million.

Looking at WiMAX technologies, 12% of companies which conducted WiMAX network deployment in 2005 used 802.16e technology, while 22% adopted 802.16d technology. In 2007, the share of companies using 802.16e technology is expected to reach 46%, while companies adopting 802.16d technology will have a share of approximately 22%. This shows that mobile WiMAX technology (802.16e) is currently more widely adopted than fixed WiMAX technology (802.16d).

Regarding frequency bands, in 2005 12% of companies deploying WiMAX networks in 2005 used the 2.5GHz frequency band, with this share expected to increase to 41% in 2007. The 2.5GHz band is therefore the main frequency band used for WiMAX networks.

An analysis of the types of companies engaging in WiMAX network deployment reveals that in 2005 fixed network operators accounted for 32% of the total. New fixed network entrants accounted for 15%, and traditional telecom operators accounted for 17%. In 2007, fixed network operators are expected to account for 49%, with new fixed network entrants accounting for 28% and traditional telecoms for 21%. 

For future receipt of press releases, or more information about MIC research findings, please contact MIC Public Relations.