US : The wireless industry, and those that supply it, are searching for the next new device, application, platform, or component to bring the industry out of its current slump. While next generation cellular technologies such as WCDMA and CDMA2000 1X EV-DO are a part of the large -- and slowing -- handset market, technology research firm ABI predicts that the highest growth rates in unit shipments are expected from chipsets outside of cellular's domain. ABI research indicates that emerging wireless categories, including Ultra Wideband (UWB) and WiMAX offer very strong growth prospects as these technologies are commercialized.

"Unlike the crowded handset market, emerging wireless technologies will help create a new platform for silicon suppliers to capitalize on, as the next generation devices are adopted commercially," says Kenil Vora, analyst with ABI.

ABI's research also finds that:

-- IC shipments for these so-called "emerging wireless" markets, including UWB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, WCDMA, CDMA2000 1X EV-DO and WiMAX will approach 2 billion annually by 2008.
-- Due to the technology's eventual pervasive nature, Bluetooth chipsets will represent more than half of this shipment total.
-- Triple-digit compound growth rates are expected for four of the six categories.

The report, "Wireless World Outlook: Assessing Silicon Demand for 3G, Bluetooth, UWB, Wi-Fi and WiMAX," examines these wireless technologies and analyzes their growth potential on a global basis. A technology overview is presented for these emerging protocols, as well as five-year market forecasts.