18th October ,2004

Vendors with Fourth Generation networks are knocking on the door and mobile operators are beginning to answer. 4G networks and Next Generation Networks (NGNs) are becoming efficient and cost-effective solutions for those wanting an IP-based high-speed data component in the mobile network, according to a new report from Visant Strategies.

“IP is pushing its way into the mobile wireless market,” said Visant Strategies Senior Analyst Andy Fuertes, author of “The Road to 4G and NGN: Wireless IP Migration Paths.” By 2010, the just-published study finds, there will be 113 million NGN and 4G users, with the market taking off in 2006 and 2007.

“The advent of commercial NGN systems and on-going Standards processes for 4G as well as national efforts abroad are creating fragmentation within the cellular market,” Fuertes said. “Standards such as 802.20, 802.16e, and proprietary platforms such as FLASH-OFDM are now being included in mobile migration plans.”

A slew of wireless technologies are poised to join existing 2.5G and 3G platforms, according to the report, as 4G and NGN vendors find a healthy niche in the large mobile market. “The current race is ultimately to wrestle control from the UMTS and CDMA2000 platforms,” Fuertes said. “Siemens carrying Flarion’s Flash-OFDM as announced last week is a large step forward for IP-based mobile wireless.”

Mobile operators are considering new platforms in search of an expedited migration to an all IP-based network, according to the report, a move expected to reduce high-speed data costs and enable new services. Some of these NGN solutions are considered 3.5G or even 4G.

The report covers 802.20, WiMAX (802.16), HSDPA, TDD UMTS, UMTS and future versions of UMTS and proprietary networks from ArrayComm Inc., Navini Networks, Flarion Technologies, and 4G efforts in India, China and Japan.

Yearly base station shipments and deployments as well as client and CPE shipments through 2010 for the various 4G and NGN technologies are included in the report as are annual chipset shipment forecasts for the emerging technologies. The report also gives yearly service revenues, subscribers, base station sales and client device earnings through 2010 for the various NGN and 4G technologies.