Tecom to begin shipping WiMAX macro base stations by end of 2007

Taiwan-based telecom equipment maker Tecom is expected to begin volume shipments of WiMAX macro base stations by the end of this year, with the initial shipments to be used in the on-going M-Taiwan (Mobilize Taiwan) Program, according to company sources.

Acccording to Tecom's roadmap, the company will cooperate initially with Taiwan-based WiMAX Telecom, one of six licensed WiMAX operators in Taiwan, in the production of WiMAX base stations and then to expand the cooperation with telecom clients in Asia Pacific, the sources indicated.

Shipments of WiMAX macro base stations are expected to total 15-30 units in 2007, with the company aiming to ship more than 1,000 units in 2008, the sources stated.

The sources also claimed that the company already started volume shipments of WiMAX CPE (customer premise equipment) products in September of this year, with shipments to reach 5,000-10,000 units by year-end 2007.

For 2008, the company expects its shipments of WiMAX CPE devices to hit 100,000-200,000 units, the sources indicated.

Total WiMAX revenues are expected to reach NT$2 billion (US$61 million) in 2008, accounting for 20% of Tecom's projected revenues, the sources noted.