US
: In the aftermath of the telecommunications market collapse, equipment,
software, and service providers are rededicated to test and measurement
solutions that will ensure availability and reliability for the entire
network life cycle. This renewed commitment will result in worldwide
test and measurement revenues growing to $6.7 billion in 2008, an
11% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2003-2008, according to
a new report from IDC.
"Finding
and eliminating weak links in communications networks remains a serious
challenge for communications engineers," said Elisabeth Rainge,
program director, Next-Gen OSS, Billing and Network Management at
IDC. "Over the course of the network lifecycle, test equipment
actually reduces the total cost of ownership for communications equipment
and minimizes the cost of operating the equipment and related service."
Establishing and sustaining the dependability of new technologies
and innovative services is critical to the success of equipment companies,
service providers, and customers.
The opportunities
for network test and measurement vendors continue to expand with the
evolution of next-generation wireless networks. Those vendors with
broad wireless strategies (beyond 3G test) will be best positioned
to gain market share. Although the most compelling tests remain user-centric,
such as drive test or response time, handset testing is becoming increasingly
important as well. Add to that a blurring of lines between traditional
handsets and consumer electronics devices, and an even larger pool
of opportunity begins to emerge.
Other key findings
from the new IDC study include:
-- Test and measurement
players are under tremendous pressure to deliver tools based on open
standards
-- Through the
first half of 2004, Agilent remains the market leader with 36.6% market
share
-- The research
and development (R&D) market feeds the network lifecycle and supports
a long-term revenue stream for network test and measurement vendors
-- Today's network
test and measurement market is made up of 25-30 vendors
-- Emerging areas
for wireless test include wireless LAN, WiMax, consumer devices, and
RFID
The study,
Worldwide Network Test and Measurement 2004-2008 Forecast (IDC #31920),
provides a market sizing and forecast of the network test and measurement
market from 2004 to 2008. It focuses on the key issues and opportunities
that will influence growth in the market.