Dell'Oro Group: Mobility Infrastructure Market Sets Record in 2005

Dell'Oro Group has issued a new report that finds "the total mobility infrastructure equipment market grew 7 percent during 2005 reaching $40.1 billion, the highest level attained in a calendar year. The market posted an 8 percent sequential gain in the fourth quarter of 2005, on strong sales of WCDMA and GSM-based equipment."

Greg Collins at Dell'Oro said, "The strength in the fourth quarter was due in part to robust sales of WCDMA infrastructure, which increased by 30 percent over the third quarter and now comprises 17 percent of the total mobility infrastructure market. WCDMA grew in every region of the world as operators improved coverage, including in North America, which accounted for 7 percent of WCDMA sales during the quarter. In addition, strong subscriber growth continues to fuel the market for GSM-based infrastructure which grew by 9 percent sequentially to reach $6.7 billion in the fourth quarter."

The report also found that "the market for CDMA-based infrastructure contracted by 10 percent during the fourth quarter 2005, partly because of slow sales in North America as the coverage phase of the DO upgrade cycle nears its end. In addition, spending was sluggish in Asia Pacific, especially in China, as carriers await new license awards for 3G data services."