10 December 2012

RF power amplifier sales for wireless infrastructure to top $2.4bn

Although 2012 turned out to be an off year for RF power amplifiers and devices for wireless infrastructure, the market still held its own, says market analyst firm ABI Research in its report ‘RF Power Amplifiers’. This year should be viewed as a breathing space before both segments resume stable and moderate growth after an explosive 2011.

The Asia-Pacific region (including Japan) continues to account for more than 75% of the RF power semiconductor devices sold into the mobile wireless infrastructure segment. “For the foreseeable future the Asia-Pacific region, particularly China, will remain the most important region and focus for RF power amplifiers and high-power RF devices for wireless infrastructure,” says research director Lance Wilson. 

Despite the downturn in 2012, RF power amplifier sales for wireless infrastructure will still top $2.4bn and RF power device sales will be more than $600m, forecasts ABI.  

LTE will become an increasingly important factor in both of these businesses even though the rollout has not been as rapid as the industry would like, says the firm. Nevertheless, it is already worldwide in scope. “Although LTE has not significantly impacted RF power amplifier and device sales as of yet, it is going to bolster RF power sales in the wireless infrastructure space from 2012 on,” reckons Wilson. 

The continuing overall need for wireless data remains an important driver for the overall market for both RF power amplifiers and RF power devices, concludes ABI.

The report ‘RF Power Amplifiers’ examines evolving design parameters and materials, price versus performance, and the interdependent relationship of RF power semiconductors to RF power amplifiers. Quantitative forecasts are presented through 2017 for both segments. The findings are part of ABI’s ‘Macro Basestations’ and ‘High-Power RF Active Devices’ Research Services.

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