Over 180,000 buildings to receive in-building wireless systems by 2011, growth of nearly 20% expected

July 4, 2007 – Over 180,000 buildings are to receive in-building wireless systems by 2011, according to a new report by ABI Research, due to increasing usage of 3G wireless data services and the critical nature of indoor communications during the day.

Dan Shey, principal analyst for ABI Research, commented: “The combination of supply-side enablers – 3G networks, handsets with advanced capabilities, mobile applications – with a strong customer need means operators will be focused on establishing a coverage footprint inside buildings to retain customers who are using mobile data services.  We expect this market to show a compound annual growth rate of nearly 20% by 2011.”  3G customers using data services that demand higher kilobit rates are expected to place extra demands on the operators’ networks, which ABI Research predicts will be accommodated by in-building wireless systems.

Shey added: “Traditional DAS and repeater systems will still play a major role in establishing indoor coverage, but look for femtocels and picocells to play an increasingly important role, not only supplementing current in-building systems but also replacing them.”  The market for in-building wireless systems is expected to kick-start first in North America, Europe and other markets with an established and growing 3G footprint, although the research firm also predicts that 2G network operators should be considering in-building wireless systems as well.  Shey believes that 2G operators planning to deploy 3G should ensure their plans also include resources “dedicated to in-building wireless deployments.  Such a roadmap will maximise uptake of 3G services providing a faster return on their future 3G network investment.”

ABI Research’s study is called ‘”In-Building Wireless Systems” and is part of the company’s Wireless Infrastructure Research Service.