WiMAX to Present More Opportunities Than Threats for Satellite Communications
Backhaul, DBS Triple Play and ATC Implementation to Generate Satellite-WiMAX Demand
| Source: NSR
CAMBRIDGE, MA--(Marketwire - July 19, 2007) - NSR today released its newest market
intelligence and forecast report: "WiMAX -- Opportunity or Threat for
Satellite Communications?" The report examines WiMAX in the overall telecom
context to provide a concise analysis of current and future opportunities
and threats for satellite communications. The report includes forecasts
for WiMAX-generated transponder demand (TPEs), backhaul sites and satellite
service revenues in each region over the next 5 years.
The report concludes that satellite-WiMAX "inter-working" will produce a
variety of distinct opportunities, highly dependant on the frequency band
in use and regional competitive considerations. Opportunities range from
C-band and Ku-band satellite backhaul in developing regions and remote
areas, to DBS-WiMAX triple play retail bundles in mature satellite TV
markets, to lower CAPEX and installation cost per-broadband user in rural
areas via tighter satellite-WiMAX integration at the VSAT, to a satellite
derivative of mobile WiMAX potentially applied to hybrid satellite-wireless
handsets utilizing the valuable Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC)
spectrum.
WiMAX momentum and high-growth expectations will prompt satellite players
to leverage the distance indifference and quick deployment characteristics
of satellite services to opportunistically address supply-demand
disruptions in backhaul bandwidth requirements. Two-tier satellite-WiMAX
backhaul also presents leapfrog advantages in developing regions and remote
areas that lack terrestrial broadband infrastructure.
While NSR expects that WiMAX and satellite communities will be able to
achieve overall joint gains, the high-power and mobility elements of WiMAX
potentially deployed in a ubiquitous matter using the 3.5 GHz spectrum
bring interference challenges to satellite extended C-band and standard
C-band as well. This issue must not be understated, as wide-scale
interference between WiMAX and C-band will greatly affect C-band users and
emerging WiMAX services. Future ITU meetings will provide more guidance on
this issue, but NSR concludes the path forward to a "win-win" outcome for
both satellite and WiMAX players is not yet entirely clear.
NSR also believes the WiMAX play and the role for satellites will be
largely shaped by heated triple play and quad-play battles that aim at
horizontally integrating service offerings. "WiMAX is a newcomer to the
triple-play game, and cross-platform complementary offerings such as
DBS-WiMAX bundles will continue taking place," stated Christopher Baugh,
President of NSR. "These deals will facilitate the introduction of triple
and quad-play services in an increasingly technology-agnostic way," stated
Baugh.
About the Report
"WiMAX -- Opportunity or Threat for Satellite Communications?" is a
multi-client report now available from NSR. For additional information on
this report, including a full table of contents, list of figures and
executive summary, please visit www.nsr.com or call NSR at 617-576-5771.
About NSR
NSR is an international market research and consulting firm specializing in
satellite and wireless technology and applications. NSR's primary areas of
expertise include emerging technology, IP applications, and broadcast
services. With extensive expertise in all regions and a number of
broadband sectors, NSR is a leading provider of in-depth market insight and
analyses.