Feature Article

Free eNews Subscription>>
March 31, 2011

Wireless Antennas Market to Reach $2 Billion in 2016: ABI Research

The revenue of antennas for wireless infrastructure, including base station, fixed and active types, is poised to touch $2 billion in 2016, according to ABI Research, an independent market research firm.

Active antennas are playing a key role in the wireless market. Increasing demand for installations of active antennas, which combine the base station’s RF electronics in the antenna housing mounted at the top of the tower, is fueling the growth of the segment.

“Active antennas offer a solution to the problem of rapidly growing wireless data traffic. Conventional designs are not as efficient; active antennas offer much greater efficiency and versatility when handling large quantities of signals, including wireless data,” said Lance Wilson, research director, ABI Research, in a statement.

However, besides the active segment, the antenna market is stable and mature. Market growth for antenna segment is gradual and steady, ABI Research said in its report called “Base Station, Fixed Outdoor, and Active Antennas.”

The antenna vendor ecosystem is slightly unusual in that there are multiple tiers and many participants. The bulk of the vendors are small companies that command only fractional percentages of the total available market. Some market consolidation is likely to happen. The scenario for active antennas is a bit different, with antenna manufacturers normally partnering with equipment builders.

The LTE/4G growth may offer some more life to the antenna market. But the growth will be moderated by the decline in the GSM technologies. GSM infrastructure is largely built-out already with the exception of still-developing regions. 4G will not replace the millions of existing GSM base stations with similar quantities.

Recently, EJL Wireless Research said there was a 17.2 percent increase in the global BTS antenna market in 2009, with the market dominated by single band sectorized panel antennas. The BTS antenna market will grow strongly in 2011 and 2012, while the year 2013 will experience a slowdown in the BTS market.


Rajani Baburajan is a contributing editor for MobilityTechzone. To read more of Rajani's articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Janice McDuffee


FOLLOW MobilityTechzone

Subscribe to MobilityTechzone eNews

MobilityTechzone eNews delivers the latest news impacting technology in the Wireless industry each week. Sign up to receive FREE breaking news today!
FREE eNewsletter