WiMAX, LTE industry preparing for 4G shift

Taiwan is strengthening its position as a major sourcing hub for WiMAX products and testing center for the standard ,LTE to benefit from the impending shift to 4G communication. The two protocols are seen as promising, specifically WiMAX 802.16m and LTE-Advanced. These are being pushed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and the Third Generation Partnership Project. At present, the available versions are pre-4G solutions. The island accounts for more than 80 percent of the global supply of WiMAX CPE and modules. This year, the production value for the categories is projected to reach $320 million, posting approximately 13 percent annual growth. In 2009, it was about $290 million, based on statistics from Market Intelligence & Consulting Institute.

Over 20 suppliers are responsible for this output. The major ones are Gemtek, Zyxel, Tecom, AWB, Data International, dmedia, USI, ECS, AsusTek, Alpha Networks, Edimax, Hon Hai and Quanta Microsystems. The chipset companies are MediaTek, Mobile Devices and Industrial Technology Research Institute’s SoC Technology Center.

There are also major semiconductor manufacturers TSMC and UMC.

For WiMAX and LTE testing, the current parameters being explored in Taiwan include interoperability, coverage, mobility and user experience. Ericsson, Nokia Siemens Networks and Alcatel-Lucent are working with local companies under efforts to complete the supply chain.

Taiwan enterprises also hope to leverage their WiMAX background and the technology’s similarity with

LTE to advance into the latter. Via Telecom and MediaTek are among the active makers of TD-LTE chipsets. LTE is considered the future de facto standard for mobile telecom devices.

Shipments of enabled handsets are forecast to climb, with volume reaching 10 million in 2012 and surpassing 70 million by 2014, according to Ovum Research & Consultancy.

In mainland China, TD-LTE is one of the major 4G standards for handsets, upgrading from TD-SCDMA. At present, Europe, North America and the mainland are the primary WiMAX and LTE markets.