Opportunities and Risks for Embedding WiMAX in Consumer Electronics

Publication Date	April 2007
Publisher	Maravedis
Product Type	Article
Pages	214
ISBN Number	not applicable
Product Code	MVI00005

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Summary

As popular consumer electronics categories continue to penetrate, many devices inexplicably do not yet support connection to the Internet. Digital devices such as portable audio and video players rely on a personal computer with a high -speed Internet connection to purchase, synchronize, and access their media library. The same behavior exists with digital cameras, which promise to give consumers more control over their images. Only those comfortable with their PC skills and ability to master new software and online portals have been able to take advantage of these new functions. Small businesses ha ve emerged solely to assist iPod owners with transferring their CD collections to portable audio players. Eastman Kodak has developed a global kiosk business enabling consumers to bring their digital camera media to a retailer and print their own images. Complexity of software applications and operating systems has created phobias for consumers who want to gather, interact with, and share their material. Internet services make this connection for some, while others remain on their own digital islands.

Traditionally, the Internet is where consumers check their electronic mail or obtain information from remote servers about sports, weather, news, and personal interests. However, the Internet is foremost a global communications network. Consumer applications s uch as television, radio, voice communications, and socializing are increasingly popular Internet applications typified by online services such as Joost, Live365, Podshow, Skype, Second Life, Blogger, and MySpace. Consumers are looking for more ways to partake in these experiences.

The widespread availability of broadband Internet access has made the Internet a larger part of how consumers access media. These high -speed connections first emerged in business enterprises but have become more common in the home. Estimates show that one billion people today have access to the Internet. Companies who provide Internet access services are actively looking for how to connect the next billion users to the network. The overwhelming method for consumer Internet acc ess is via the home computer. Internet access is delivered over phone lines, coaxial cable, fiber optics, and radio frequency wireless services. The home receives the signal through a modem box that translates data into the Ethernet protocol, which connect s to a desktop or laptop computer using the same protocol.

To broaden connections beyond the home, consumers are looking for ways to remain connected and get access to their multimedia content anytime and anywhere. Wi -Fi hotspots are more commonly availa ble, but still confine service to a facility. Cellular voice services using third generation (3G) services now include small data pipes for services like email, web browsing, and short message service (SMS). Trying to replicate the broadband experience fro m home over these connections is a frustrating experience. The ecosystem to support development of 3G protocols for the variety of desired consumer electronics is not yet achievable at minimal IPR impact and low chipset costs. Standards development organiz ations saw this bottleneck forming several years ago and created broadband wireless protocols that are designed on an Internet Protocol (IP) network like that supporting home broadband services. Promising multi -megabit per second performance to each user, these broadband wireless networks are the baseline for delivering the Internet experience to any location and any device.

One such broadband wireless technology is WiMAX. WiMAX takes the high-speed experience of home broadband Internet access and puts it wherever the consumer is - at home, at work, or on the road. The combination of wireless Internet access anytime, anywhere for the mass of unconnected consumer electronics devices brings about new opportunities for convenience and real -time immersion in th e digital world. Despite the political battle in Europe over wireless spectrum policy, network operators continue to invest in Mobile WiMAX. Over 200 WiMAX trials have been announced, touching all of the continents. The majority of the trials are not with mobile carriers, but with broadband operators and new entities. The first Mobile WiMAX network to launch commercially was the WiBro service in South Korea. All of Seoul is currently covered by deployed infrastructure with services being offered by carrier s KT and SKTelecom. Both operators selected Samsung as their infrastructure and device partner to fast -track government mandates to launch a commercial service during 2006. The initial launch has been met with slow adoption. Approximately 2,000 paying subs cribers are now testing the WiBro service in an effort to identify the most popular applications and attractive business models. At this rate, attaining one million users on the WiBro network would be very far off.

The announcement grabbing the most atten tion - and perhaps the most ambitious - of the second half of 2006 was Sprint Nextel's intent to invest $3 billion for a Mobile WiMAX network covering 100 million potential subscribers by 2008. Sprint Nextel has enlisted the support of Motorola, Nokia, and Samsung as equipment partners, with each being assigned trial territories including Chicago, Washington D.C., and four cities in Texas. A roadmap for 20 U.S. cities beyond the initial trials was announced in March 2007. Intel, LG Electronics, ZyXEL, ZTE, and other device manufacturers have been courted to build a product portfolio for the mid-2008 commercial launch.

Other notable Mobile WiMAX projects include Japan's KDDI, which plans to complement its 3G voice offering with a WiMAX network, and Taiwan's self-named ""M-Taiwan"" project. M-Taiwan attempts to tackle how mobile wireless technology can enhance public services by assembling corporate project teams focused on creating optimal application services and business plans. Enabling service coverage with these major infrastructure investments is critical. The range of consumer devices will be limited until network coverage is widely available.

Mobile WiMAX infrastructure and client devices to support the operator trials and commercial launches continue to emerge. Maravedis has identified more than 50 consumer electronics product announcements for Mobile WiMAX, from desktop customer premise equipment (CPE) to multi-mode ultra-mobile PCs to in-dash vehicle information and entertainment systems. Devices tha t enable WiMAX services for computing platforms such as laptop and desktop PCs were the first to emerge in 2006. This year, dual-mode HSDPA/WiMAX handsets have been demonstrated, with general availability expected in 2008. Initial Mobile WiMAX chipsets are not optimized for power consumption and result in less than optimal battery life for handheld devices. This behavior, also seen in first generation handheld devices for GSM and CDMA protocols, will be overcome in the next 18 -24 months through improved OFDMA efficiencies and tighter integration of core building blocks.

Consumer access to Mobile WiMAX products will initially occur in sales channel partnerships with network operators. Subsidized product offerings bundled with 12-24 month contracts are expect ed. Carriers have learned from 3G data trials and deployments that consumers do not understand how to measure data consumption (How much of my monthly subscription is consumed when transferring an image or song?) as they do for voice minutes. A fixed month ly cost is impractical for digital cameras and other consumer electronics devices that experience data transfers in bursts. As a result, Mobile WiMAX subscriptions will be offered based on time (unlimited use for an hour, day, or month) in addition to subscriptions based on monthly data consumption levels measured in MB and GB. Additional sales channels for consumer devices will open as consumers seek solutions at retail and e -commerce without a service contract. Many analysts are forecasting significant g rowth in the global implementation of WiMAX networks and services. The home broadband experience can now be enjoyed anytime, anywhere using embedded WiMAX consumer electronics devices. Successful consumer electronics categories such as portable MP3 audio p layers and digital cameras rely on PC households to synchronize or transfer content. Mobile WiMAX connects these multimedia devices to the Internet, enabling new revenue sources for operators and content owners while providing convenience and valuable new services for consumers.

This report includes analysis of interviews with more than 35 leading consumer electronics vendors and WiMAX manufacturers. Findings from these interviews include opportunities and risks for embedding WiMAX in consumer electronics devices.

Content

1. Executive Summary
2. Key Findings
- 2.1 Opportunities for Embedding WiMAX in Consumer Electronics
- 2.2 Risks for Embedding WiMAX in Consumer Electronics
3. Methodology & Resources
- 3.1 Interviews and Sources
- 3.2 References to other Maravedis Research
4. WiMAX Technology & Products
- 4.1 Overview
- 4.2 Industry Support: the WiMAX Forum
  - 4.2.1 Creating a trusted seal of approval
  - 4.2.2 Industry certification as a risk to success
  - 4.2.3 Working groups and task groups
- 4.3 WiMAX Deployment Scenarios
- 4.4 Standards Progress
  - 4.4.1 802.16-2004
  - 4.4.2 802.16e-2005
  - 4.4.3 Future 802.16 growth
- 4.5 Operator Trials and Deployments
  - 4.5.1 Operator roaming agreements
- 4.6 Pricing Scenarios
  - 4.6.1 Base stations with MIMO or beamforming
  - 4.6.2 Pico cells / femto cells
  - 4.6.3 Consumer devices
- 4.7 WiMAX Challenges for Succeeding in Consumer Electronics
5. Application Services Critical for WiMAX Success
- 5.1 Overview
- 5.2 Application Classes
- 5.3 Emerging Applications
- 5.4 Benefits of WiMAX Capabilities for Broadband Service Delivery
  - 5.4.1 Security
  - 5.4.2 QoS
- 5.5 Industry Certification of Application Services Performance is Critical
6. The Carrier's Perspective
- 6.1 KT: Korea's WiBro Service First to Deploy Mobile WiMAX
- 6.2 Sprint Nextel
  - 6.2.1 The early adopter subscriber profile
  - 6.2.2 An ecosystem to support consumer electronics
  - 6.2.3 Consumer choice - EV-DO versus WiMAX
  - 6.2.4 Managing multiple radio networks
  - 6.2.5 The role of industry certification
  - 6.2.6 Possible distribution models
  - 6.2.7 The Sprint Nextel WiMAX device portfolio
  - 6.2.8 Consumer subscription models
  - 6.2.9 WiMAX network security
  - 6.2.10 Upgrading network infrastructure and backhaul
  - 6.2.11 Building the service ecosystem
7. Consumer Electronics Products Geared to WiMAX Delivery
- 7.1 Overview
- 7.2 Cameras and Camcorders
  - 7.2.1 Cameras
  - 7.2.2 Camcorders
- 7.3 Vehicle Technology
  - 7.3.1 Navigation and information systems
  - 7.3.2 Telematics
  - 7.3.3 Entertainment
- 7.4 Phones and PDAs
  - 7.4.1 Mobile phones
  - 7.4.2 Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)
- 7.5 Computers and Hardware
  - 7.5.1 Laptops
  - 7.5.2 Ultra-mobile PCs
  - 7.5.3 Peripherals
- 7.5 4 Gateways
- 7.6 Gaming
  - 7.6.1 Multiplayer portable handhelds
  - 7.6.2 Gaming consoles
- 7.7 Home Audio and Video
  - 7.7.1 Radios and receivers
  - 7.7.2 Home automation
  - 7.7.3 Speakers
  - 7.7.4 HDTV
- 7.8 Portable audio and video
  - 7.8.1 MP3 players
- 7.8 2 Portable media players
8. Consumer Electronics Manufacturers & Their Plans
- 8.1 Overview
- 8.2 WiMAX Silicon/Components
  - 8.2.1 Chipset suppliers
    - 8.2.1.1 Altair Semiconductor
    - 8.2.1.2 Beceem Communications
    - 8.2.1.3 Comsys Mobile
    - 8.2.1.4 D&H Global Enterprise LLC
    - 8.2.1.5 Fujitsu Microelectronics America, Inc
    - 8.2.1.6 Intel Corporation
    - 8.2.1.7 Motorola
    - 8.2.1.8 POSDATA
    - 8.2.1.9 Redpine Signals Inc.
    - 8.2.1.10 Runcom
    - 8.2.1.11 Samsung Electronics
    - 8.2.1.12 Sequans Communications
    - 8.2.1.13 STMicroelectronics
    - 8.2.1.14 TeleCIS Wireless
    - 8.2.1.15 Wavesat
  - 8.2.2 Key component suppliers
    - 8.2.2.1 ArrayComm
    - 8.2.2.2 Atmel Corporation
    - 8.2.2.3 Freescale Semiconductor
    - 8.2.2.4 Infineon Technologies
    - 8.2.2.5 Maxim Integrated Products
    - 8.2.2.6 NXP Semiconductors
    - 8.2.2.7 picoChip
    - 8.2.2.8 Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    - 8.2.2.9 Texas Instruments
    - 8.2.2.10 Wintegra
- 8.3 WiMAX Infrastructure
  - 8.3.1 Base stations
    - 8.3.1.1 Airspan
    - 8.3.1.2 Alcatel-Lucent
    - 8.3.1.3 Alvarion
    - 8.3.1.4 Aperto Networks
    - 8.3.1.5 Huawei Technologies
    - 8.3.1.6 Japan Radio Company
    - 8.3.1.7 Motorola
    - 8.3.1.8 Navini Networks
    - 8.3.1.9 Nokia
    - 8.3.1.10 Nortel Networks
    - 8.3.1.11 picoChip
    - 8.3.1.12 POSDATA FLYVO
    - 8.3.1.13 Samsung Electronics
    - 8.3.1.14 SOMA Networks
    - 8.3.1.15 SR Telecom
    - 8.3.1.16 Telsima Corporation
  - 8.3.2 Repeaters
    - 8.3.2.1 Juni Australia Pty
- 8.4 Consumer Electronics Devices
  - 8.4.1 Customer premise equipment
    - 8.4.1.1 Accton Wireless Broadband
    - 8.4.1.2 Alvarion
    - 8.4.1.3 Motorola
    - 8.4.1.4 Navini Networks
    - 8.4.1.5 Nexus iSR, LLC
    - 8.4.1.6 Runcom Technologies
    - 8.4.1.7 Siemens Home and Office Communications
    - 8.4.1.8 SR Telecom
    - 8.4.1.9 Telsima Corporation
    - 8.4.1.10 WAAV
    - 8.4.1.11 ZyXEL
  - 8.4.2 Computers and related hardware
    - 8.4.2.1 Accton Wireless Broadband
    - 8.4.2.2 Airspan
    - 8.4.2.3 Alpha Networks
    - 8.4.2.4 Alvarion
    - 8.4.2.5 Japan Radio Company
    - 8.4.2.6 Kyocera Wireless
    - 8.4.2.7 Lenovo
    - 8.4.2.8 LG Electronics
    - 8.4.2.9 Microsoft
    - 8.4.2.10 Motorola
    - 8.4.2.11 Navini Networks
    - 8.4.2.12 POSDATA
    - 8.4.2.13 Runcom Technologies
    - 8.4.2.14 Samsung Electronics
    - 8.4.2.15 Telsima Corporation
    - 8.4.2.16 ZTE
    - 8.4.2.17 ZyXEL
  - 8.4.3 Cameras and camcorders
    - 8.4.3.1 Eastman Kodak Company
  - 8.4.4 Vehicle technology
    - 8.4.4.1 MAXAN
    - 8.4.4.2 Netsize Group
  - 8.4.5 Phones and PDAs
    - 8.4.5.1 LG Electronics
    - 8.4.5.2 MobiTV, Inc
    - 8.4.5.3 Microsoft
    - 8.4.5.4 Motorola
    - 8.4.5.5 Nokia
    - 8.4.5.6 Penthera
    - 8.4.5.7 POSDATA
    - 8.4.5.8 Runcom Technologies
    - 8.4.5.9 Samsung Electronics
    - 8.4.5.10 SANYO Electric Co., Ltd
    - 8.4.5.11 Trimble Outdoors
  - 8.4.6 Gaming
    - 8.4.6.1 Reigncom iRiver
  - 8.4.7 Home audio and video
    - 8.4.7.1 Sling Media Inc
  - 8.4.8 Portable audio and video
    - 8.4.8.1 MediaZone
    - 8.4.8.2 Homecast Korea
    - 8.4.8.3 SODIFF Co, LTD.
9. Analysis of Survey & Interview Results
- 9.1 Overview
- 9.2 Advantages of WiMAX technology
- 9.3 Consumer Electronics Timeframe for Mobile WiMAX Integration
  - 9.3.1 WiMAX chipsets
  - 9.3.2 Base station densities
  - 9.3.3 Device evolution
  - 9.3.4 Homologation
  - 9.3.5 Application services
  - 9.3.6 Brazil, Russia, India and China
  - 9.3.7 Roaming agreements
- 9.4 Alternatives to WiMAX
  - 9.4.1 Enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE)
  - 9.4.2 EDGE evolution
  - 9.4.3 IEEE 802.20
  - 9.4.4 Evolution Data-Optimized (EV-DO)
  - 9.4.5 Ultra-Mobile Broadband (UMB)
  - 9.4.6 High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA)
  - 9.4.7 High-Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA)
  - 9.4.8 3GPP High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA)
  - 9.4.9 Long-Term Evolution (LTE)
  - 9.4.10 Overhauling the operator network
- 9.5 The Search for WiMAX's ""Killer Application""
- 9.6 The Role of Industry Certification for Consumer Electronics
- 9.7 WiMAX as a Mainstream Consumer Technology
- 9.8 WiMAX Distribution Models
- 9.9 Subscription Plans and Pricing Models
- 9.10 Youthful Technology Seeks Mature Catalyst for Industry Acceleration
10. Conclusions
11. Market Forecasts
Appendix A: Timeline for the Introduction of WiMAX in Consumer Electronics
Appendix B: Surveys and Interviews
- Overview
- Interview Prologue
- Interview Questionnaire
- Post-Interview Vendor Validation
Appendix C: WiMAX Forum CE Member Companies
Appendix D: WiMAX Forum Working Groups Overview
List of Exhibits
- Exhibit 1. Mobile WiMAX certification profiles
- Exhibit 2. Mobile WiMAX Release-1.0 testing timeline
- Exhibit 3. US mobile data revenues, by type, 2006-2010
- Exhibit 4. WiMAX application class requirements
- Exhibit 5. WiMAX service types
- Exhibit 6. Status of WiBro standardization
- Exhibit 7. Concept of the WiBro service
- Exhibit 8. Sprint Nextel 4G network early adopters
- Exhibit 9. Timeline for introduction of WiMAX in digital cameras
- Exhibit 10. Timeline for introduction of WiMAX in camcorders
- Exhibit 11. Mobile WiMAX vehicle information system
- Exhibit 12. Timeline for the introduction of WiMAX in vehicle information systems
- Exhibit 13. Monthly average of OnStar responses through June 2006
- Exhibit 14. GM OnStar network elements
- Exhibit 15. U.S. Internet radio listening growth, February 2007
- Exhibit 16. Example of rear-seat vehicle entertainment system
- Exhibit 17. Fans of Pittsburgh State University enjoy ""tailgating"" parties
- Exhibit 18. Timeline for the introduction of WiMAX for in-car entertainment systems
- Exhibit 19. Timeline for the introduction of WiMAX in mobile handsets
- Exhibit 20. Bridge Ratings U.S. digital media growth projections, February 2007
- Exhibit 21. Timeline for the introduction of WiMAX in PDAs
- Exhibit 22. Timeline for the introduction of WiMAX embedded in laptops
- Exhibit 23. OQO model 02 UMPC
- Exhibit 24. Timeline for the introduction of WiMAX in ultra-mobile PCs
- Exhibit 25. Timeline for the introduction of WiMAX in PC peripherals
- Exhibit 26. Timeline for the introduction of WiMAX in portable gaming
- Exhibit 27. Timeline for the introduction of WiMAX in home automation
- Exhibit 28. Timeline for the introduction of WiMAX in MP3 players
- Exhibit 29. Timeline for the introduction of WiMAX in portable media players
- Exhibit 30. Beceem MS120-based PCMCIA card
- Exhibit 31. WiMAX network architecture
- Exhibit 32. Comsys ComMAX CM1100
- Exhibit 33. Comsys ComMAX CM1125 GSM/EDGE/WiMAX baseband processor
- Exhibit 34. Fujitsu Mobile WiMAX chipset roadmap
- Exhibit 35. Intel WiMAX Connection 2250 high-level block diagram
- Exhibit 36. Samsung's view of the wireless ecosystem
- Exhibit 37. Sequans' SQN1110 SoC block diagram
- Exhibit 38. STW51000 SoC baseband processor
- Exhibit 39. Telecis Wireless TCW 2720 Mobile WiMAX SoC
- Exhibit 40. Wavesat UMobile chipset
- Exhibit 41. Logical diagram of A-MAS architecture for base stations
- Exhibit 42. Logical diagram of A-MAS architecture for client devices
- Exhibit 43. Multi-standard baseband AMC channel card
- Exhibit 44. UXA234xx transceiver
- Exhibit 45. picoChip PC202 DSP
- Exhibit 46. picoChip PC205 DSP
- Exhibit 47. picoChip PC203 base station DSP
- Exhibit 48. SKY77258 Mobile WiMAX front-end module
- Exhibit 49. HiperMAX system architecture
- Exhibit 50. Alcatel-Lucent Evolium 9100 base station
- Exhibit 51. BreezeMAX modular base station
- Exhibit 52. PacketMAX 5000 base station
- Exhibit 53. JRC Mobile WiMAX base station
- Exhibit 54. Motorola WAP400 Series access point
- Exhibit 55. Ripwave MX8 BTS
- Exhibit 56. Nortel BTS 5000
- Exhibit 57. FLYVO RAS 3000 base station
- Exhibit 58. Samsung RAS models
- Exhibit 59. SOMA Networks NPM 2000 base station
- Exhibit 60. Accton Wireless Broadband 802.16e Indoor CPE
- Exhibit 61. Navini Ripwave MX modem
- Exhibit 62. Nexus Hawk Model 2000
- Exhibit 63. symmetryMXe outdoor CPE with indoor gateway
- Exhibit 64. Telsima StarMAX 3100 WiMAX mobile station
- Exhibit 65. WAAV CM3 mobile router
- Exhibit 66. ZyXEL MAX-200M1 CPE
- Exhibit 67. Accton wireless broadband 802.16e PC card
- Exhibit 68. Airspan 16eUSB with battery/Wi-Finder module
- Exhibit 69. Airspan 16eUSB specifications
- Exhibit 70. MAC, security, and networking capabilities of the Airspan 16eUSB
- Exhibit 71. JRC Mobile WiMAX user terminal
- Exhibit 72. LG Electronics Xnote A1 notebook PC
- Exhibit 73. LG Electronics Xnote C1 tablet PC
- Exhibit 74. Motorola wi4 WiMAX PC card
- Exhibit 75. Navini Ripwave MX PCMCIA card
- Exhibit 76. POSDATA FLYVO WiBro PC card
- Exhibit 77. Samsung Q1 Ultra UMPC
- Exhibit 78. Samsung KT Q35 embedded PC
- Exhibit 79. Samsung SPH-H1200 WiMAX/HSDPA USB dongle
- Exhibit 80. Samsung SPH-P9000 Deluxe MIT
- Exhibit 81. Telsima StarMAX 3200 PCMCIA card and PDA
- Exhibit 82. ZyXEL Mobile WiMAX PCMCIA card
- Exhibit 83. MAXAN INFILL G4 specifications
- Exhibit 84. MAXAN INFILL G4 multimedia car PC
- Exhibit 85. MAXAN INFILL software station categories
- Exhibit 86. LG Electronics KC1 PDA
- Exhibit 87. Runcom's RNE200CF compact Flash card for Mobile WiMAX with PDA
- Exhibit 88. Motorola wi4 WiMAX handset
- Exhibit 89. POSDATA FLYVO Clamshell PDA
- Exhibit 90. POSDATA FLYVO PDA with DMB antenna
- Exhibit 91. POSDATA FLYVO slider PDA
- Exhibit 92. Samsung SPH-M8100 Mobile WiMAX PDA phone
- Exhibit 93. GuideWorx GPS application
- Exhibit 94. iRiver G10 "Wing" online gaming device
- Exhibit 95. Slingbox family
- Exhibit 96. Homecast TVus PMP
- Exhibit 97. SODIFF WiBro terminal
- Exhibit 98. Vendor estimates for Mobile WiMAX certification testing
- Exhibit 99. Timeline for introduction of battery-friendly and multi-mode chipsets
- Exhibit 100. Vendor timelines for Mobile WiMAX base station densities
- Exhibit 101. Data rates for wireless technologies
- Exhibit 102. WiMAX vs. Wi-Fi chipset ASP forecasts, 2006-2012
- Exhibit 103. WiMAX chipset volume and ASP expectations, 2006-2012
- Exhibit 104. WiMAX chipset revenue expectations, 2006-2012
- Exhibit 105. Net yearly WiMAX and proprietary subscriber additions, 2006-2012
- Exhibit 106. Accumulated WiMAX and proprietary subscribers, 2006-2012
- Exhibit 107. BWA CPE shipment forecasts, 2006-2012, in units
- Exhibit 108. BWA CPE price decline forecasts, 2006-2012
- Exhibit 109. WiMAX CPE shipments by type, 2006-2012, in units
- Exhibit 110. Forecast of CPE revenue by type, 2006-2012, in US$
- Exhibit 111. WiMAX Forum working groups