Feature Article

Free eNews Subscription>>
September 26, 2014

Electronic Test Equipment Market Set for Growth, Thanks to Wireless Demand

The proliferation of wireless technology is setting the stage for solid growth in radio frequency (RF) test equipment, according to a new report from Frost & Sullivan.

Market leaders are striking a balance between price and performance to keep their products competitive in this growing market. As a result, test equipment can reduce the costs of tests by increasing throughput and scalability while lowering power consumption and space requirements, according to Frost & Sullivan’s Global Outlook for Electronic Test Equipment.

Dynamic electronic general purpose (GP) test equipment is set to reach $4.64 billion in 2018, up from $3.45 billion in 2013. Frost & Sullivan defines RF test equipment as oscilloscopes, signal generators, spectrum/signal analyzers, network analyzers, power meters, logic analyzers, electronic counters and multimeters.

"Faster connectivity through the deployment of 5G will also escalate the demand for higher frequency bands," said Prathima Bommakanti, Frost & Sullivan measurement & instrumentation research analyst. "This, in turn, will drive the demand for GP test equipment in the microwave range."

The emergence of cloud computing is another major factor in the demand for RF test equipment. As more devices connect with more cloud-based servers, the networks become more complicated and require more testing.

"Due to a strong and continuous market need for cost-effective, yet high-performing test solutions, companies are striving to develop low-cost and advanced GP test solutions," Bommakanti said. "These vendors' efforts are fuelling customers' interest and thereby, driving test equipment sales."

The report also found certain products such as multimeters—which have demonstrated minimal technological progress—customers are making purchase decisions based on price and availability rather than functionalities/features.

A related Frost & Sullivan Report found communication service providers are focused on offloading cellular traffic to Wi-Fi networks, which is likely to be another factor in the increasing need for testing equipment. Caused by the explosion in smart phone use, the switch to Wi-Fi is seen as a cost savings measure for providers, and it will likely increase the need for testing equipment as they build more networks, according to Frost & Sullivan’s Global Wi-Fi Test Equipment Market report.

“More than 55 percent of all mobile data is expected to be offloaded to Wi-Fi networks in 2017, making it imperative for mobile operators to ensure that Wi-Fi networks are of carrier-grade quality,” said Olga Yashkova-Shapiro, Frost & Sullivan measurement & instrumentation program manager. “Wi-Fi technology 802.11ac and robust test and monitoring solutions are critical to achieve correct offloading and minimize overall customer churn.”




Edited by Maurice Nagle


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