Telcos Are Primed for Major Rollouts of WiMax Technology in 2006-07, New Report FindsA worldwide survey of service providers shows carriers of all stripes expect to see commercial deployment of WiMax over the next 24 months, says Heavy ReadingPRNewswire Telecom network operators are convinced that WiMax will have a positive impact on their ability to deliver new services, and most expect to see deployment of WiMax in commercial networks by the end of 2007, according to results of a worldwide survey of service provider professionals conducted by Heavy Reading (http://www.heavyreading.com/), Light Reading Inc.'s market research division. Service Provider WiMax Deployment Plans, the latest report from Heavy Reading, presents full results and analysis of an invitation-only survey gauging not only service provider perceptions of WiMax, but also their plans to incorporate the new broadband wireless technology into their own networks. A total of 262 service provider professionals, representing more than 175 different network operators worldwide, participated in the survey. Survey questions covered a full range of WiMax-related issues, including:
* General perception of WiMax's importance to carrier networks
* Current status of WiMax evaluation projects
* Interest in specific implementations of WiMax (including fixed vs.
mobile WiMax)
* Perception of which vendors are leading WiMax technology development
* Attitudes toward "pre-WiMax" access products
* Estimated time frames for commercial deployment of WiMax
* Expected primary applications for initial WiMax deployments
Respondents also identified the technology suppliers they perceive as leading the up-and-coming WiMax market. The report includes leadership scores for nearly 40 systems and components vendors, including Alcatel, Intel, Lucent Technologies, Motorola, and Nokia. "Service provider respondents overwhelmingly view WiMax as a technology that will have at least some impact on the future of telecom networks, and a solid majority expect it to have a major impact," the report states. "Less than 2 percent of the 262 respondents categorized WiMax as offering 'more hype than hope,' while nearly 60 percent said WiMax would have a major long-term impact on telecom networks and services. These results clearly show that WiMax developers have succeeded in making a strong case for their technology, and that service providers are expecting WiMax to have a place in future network designs." Other key findings in the 24-page report include the following: Positive attitudes toward WiMax and its role in telecom networks cut across all service provider types. For every type of service provider included in the survey, more than 50 percent of respondents said WiMax would have a major long-term effect on networks and services. The carrier respondents most bullish about WiMax's prospects were those from long-distance operators (69.1 percent of whom said WiMax would have a major long-term impact), Bell companies (68.8 percent), and operators of conventional wireless networks (68.4 percent). The evaluation process for WiMax is already well underway, and the next 12 to 18 months will be critical in determining how many carriers make investments in WiMax and how extensive those investments will be. A majority of respondents say their company is now evaluating WiMax, and almost all of the rest say their company is likely to take a close look at the technology once it matures -- which most expect to occur in the next year and a half. The vast majority of respondents expect to see commercial WiMax service launched within the next two years. Nearly 40 percent of respondents expect commercial WiMax service to be available this year, and more than 80 percent anticipate it by the end of 2007. Service Provider WiMax Deployment Plans costs $2,995 and is published in PDF format. The price includes an enterprise license covering all of the employees at the purchaser's company. Report subscribers also gain access to a searchable database of all survey results, allowing for further analysis of critical data points by a range of demographic criteria, including: * Service provider type * Geographic region * Respondent job function * Degree of interest in WiMax * Likelihood of commercial deployment For more information, or to request a free executive summary, contact: Dave Williams Sales Director, Heavy Reading 858-485-8870 dave.williams@heavyreading.com Press/analyst contact: Dennis Mendyk Managing Director, Heavy Reading 201-587-2154 mendyk@heavyreading.com About Heavy Reading Heavy Reading is an independent market research organization offering quantitative analysis of telecom technology to service providers, vendors, and investors. Its mandate is to provide the comprehensive competitive analysis needed today for the deployment of profitable networks based on next- generation hardware and software. About Light Reading Light Reading Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of CMP Media, is a B-to-B network information provider. Light Reading publishes http://www.lightreading.com/, the leading global content site for the telecom industry; http://www.byteandswitch.com/, a storage networking site; and http://www.unstrung.com/, dedicated to wireless networking. Light Reading is also affiliated with http://www.heavyreading.com/, a market research site for quantitative analysis of telecom technology to carriers, service providers, and vendors. About CMP Media Through its market-leading portfolio of trusted information brands in the technology, healthcare, and lifestyles industries, CMP Media (http://www.cmp.com/) has earned the confidence of more professionals and enthusiasts in these fields than any other media company. As a result, CMP is the premier provider of access, insight, and actionable programs designed to connect sellers and buyers in each of these industries in ways that yield superior return on investment. CMP Media is a subsidiary of United Business Media (http://www.unitedbusinessmedia.com/), a global provider of news distribution and specialist information services with a market capitalization of more than $3 billion. SOURCE: Heavy Reading CONTACT: Dave Williams, Sales Director, +1-858-485-8870, Web site: http://www.heavyreading.com/ |