IMS Research - Automotive

IMS Research's Access, Connectivity & Storage group covers three distinct market sectors:

Access: This includes a portfolio of research examining various broadband markets such as DSL, cable, broadband wireless (WiMAX), fibre, satellite, leased line and power line communications. Typically IMS' reports in these areas detail the uptake of these technologies and shipments & sales of related equipment.

Connectivity: IMS' range of connectivity research focuses on market information on a number of short range wireless technologies used to connect Local and Personal Area Networks. These technologies include Bluetooth, UWB, Wireless LAN, Zigbee and NFC.

Storage: From how data will be stored in future home networks to whether Flash or HDD will dominate in future MP3 players, IMS offers a selection of research examining the market for various storage products. For customer/press enquiries, please contact:

For customer/press enquiries, please contact:
Alex Green
Email: Alex.Green@IMSResearch.com
Tel: +44 1933 402255

Client List:

CSR	Broadcom	TI	Philips

Infineon	National Semiconductor	Motorola	GN Netcom

Samsung	Siemens	STMicroeletronics	RF Micro Devices

Bluetooth SIG	Ericsson	Plantronics	Microsoft

Staccato	Seagate	Western Digital

Reports

The Worldwide Market for UWB – 2008 Edition

As a non-member, we can only show you one report title.
To get full results to your searches and to view report details, apply for membership.

Press Releases

Bluetooth Low Energy Technology - Newest Addition to the Bluetooth Family - 09 June 2008

Well, it’s not exactly new anymore: formerly Wibree and formerly Ultra Low Power Bluetooth technology, I feel like this technology has already been around the block and the specification hasn’t even been defined yet!

Trend – Wireless in Healthcare - 29 May 2008

None is more topical than the potential of wireless technologies in the medical industry. In fact, wireless technologies such as RFID, WLAN and proprietary versions are already being utilised in hospitals and various clinical applications. However, can wireless technologies really revolutionise the healthcare industry?

UWB Window of Opportunity - 09 May 2008

Ultra Wideband (UWB) has been here, there and everywhere. The reality is UWB is at a cross-road and 2008 is a make or break year for the technology.

Still a Thirst in Europe for Beverage Packaging Machinery - 04 March 2008

IMS Research forecasts that EMEA sales of packaging machinery equipment will increase to €13 billion by 2012. Beverage packaging is expected to grow the fastest.

NFC: The Contactless Possibilities are Endless! - 29 February 2008

NFC payments and ticketing will take NFC to mass market and IMS Research has forecast that NFC penetration rates into handsets will reach 12% in 2013. However according to Filomena Berardi, Research Analyst with IMS Research; “The additional value that NFC could bring consumers in other applications beyond ticketing and payments are often over looked.”

Analyst Commentary: Would Comcast Have a Problem with Femtocells? - 25 February 2008

Earlier this week, US cable provider Comcast attempted to justify its practice of hampering certain file-sharing applications by telling the FCC that it was an efficient way to keep web traffic flowing smoothly on its network. In their statement, Comcast said it, “only affect the protocols that have a demonstrated history of generating excessive burdens on the network.” This response was on the heels of accusations from some consumer groups that Comcast not only hampers large peer-to-peer downloads, but movie downloading services as well because they might compete with Comcast’s video-on-demand services.

Could Wireless Technologies Make our Roads Safer? - 13 February 2008

Bluetooth Technology ® has been used in vehicle applications for a number of years now and has helped to discourage drivers using cellular handsets whilst driving. As drivers this is reassuring, tests done by the Transport Research Laboratory have reported that using a mobile handset whilst driving is more dangerous than drink driving!

NFC: Technically Viable, but is it Desirable? asks IMS Research - 08 November 2007

NFC has tremendous potential for contactless ticketing, payments and passive door entry. The key benefits for consumers are reported to be faster transactions, no more carrying loose change, even a wallet can be discarded and everything in the future can be performed on one’s mobile phone.

Bluetooth®-enabled Equipment Shipments to Hit 800 million this Year - 12 October 2007

IMS Research has tracked the market for Bluetooth technology since its inception, and has recently published the eighth edition of its annual Bluetooth report. In this new report, IMS continues to forecast healthy growth. However, caution should be exercised over the ultimate attach rates of Bluetooth technology in the total cellular handset market. As cellular handsets become more prevalent in less affluent markets, there is a growing demand for low-cost handsets that have only basic functionality. In this particular segment, it is probable that many handsets will not be enabled by Bluetooth technology, and hence the ultimate attach rate of 90% of all handsets globally, which suppliers initially anticipated, is unlikely to be attained.

Bluetooth® Evolution – Opportunities and Challenges - 11 October 2007

The future of Bluetooth technology has been assured for a number of years now, secured by its prevalence in handsets and driven by the market for enabled headsets. However, the landscape is changing. Over the last 18 months, the Bluetooth portfolio has evolved from what is generally considered “core Bluetooth technology” to include a high speed version, and an ultra low power version (formerly Wibree).

A Bluetooth® Technology Predicament for Car Manufacturers - 10 October 2007

Bluetooth technology now features in around 500 million handsets worldwide; the majority of people have heard of Bluetooth technology and many are using the technology. Consequently, it came as no surprise when Bluetooth technology moved into our cars.

Bluetooth is making Some Noise in the Automotive World - 14 August 2007

Bluetooth has many untapped use cases; the potential for using its functionality in automotive devices is large; however, its primary role is still handsfree calling.

WiMAX & Vodafone – What’s Going On? - 13 August 2007

So, Vodafone has announced that it has joined the WiMAX Forum. For a company that has historically been perceived as hostile toward the technology, does this mean that their attitude towards WiMAX has now thawed?

Bluetooth Evolution Conference & Expo - 09 August 2007

IMS Research and the Bluetooth SIG will jointly host the Bluetooth® Evolution Conference and Expo in London, on October 31st and November 1st, 2007.

All Change for the WiMAX Supplier Industry? - 01 August 2007

So far the market for WiMAX has been characterized by limited shipments, unlimited hype and the dominance of 802.16d. As this changes, expect the ranks of winning suppliers to change as well.

WiMAX 802.16e - Slow to Start but Quick to Conquer - 28 July 2007

WiMAX hype has been with us now for a number of years. However, if you count the number of users as an indicator of how hype is changing into reality, then WiMAX has barely arrived.

WiMAX As A Possible Solution to Cellular / WiFi Backhaul - 27 July 2007

A cellular network or a metropolitan WiFi network needs to backhaul traffic from its base stations/hot spots back to some central point. This could be a base station controller (BSC), mobile switching centre (MSC), RNC or central server. In order to do this there are wide range of potential solutions. These can include: renting a leased line from the local incumbent, renting a DSL line from a broadband service provider, WiFi mesh networking, laying optical fibre, using a dedicated point to point microwave link and using a point to multipoint microwave solution.

VoIP to Drive Growth in the Residential Gateway Market - 25 July 2007

According to IMS Research’ latest report on The Worldwide Market for Residential Gateways, 2006 was the final year when the market for simple single function broadband modems was to experience growth. From now on the Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) that are driving growth in the broadband access market will be gateway products that also allow routing, wireless access, wired networking, VoIP, A/V networking and IPTV.

Broadband User Base To Double in Five Years - 22 July 2007

At the end of 2006 there were approaching 300 million broadband users worldwide. According to IMS Research’s Online Broadband Access Database this number is projected to nearly double by the end of 2011.

WiMAX Integration - Making the Right Decision! - 23 June 2007

Current ICs aimed at the WiMAX customer premises equipment (CPE) market are quite straight forwardly either baseband or RF. However, this is all set to change!

Wireless Coexistence … on a Single IC - 13 June 2007

The wireless communications industry continues to converge and “wireless coexistence” is now vital to the future success of the majority of companies in this industry.

Wibree ….. From Unknown Technology to Bluetooth SIG Adoption - 12 June 2007

In 8 months Wibree has gone from a relatively unknown technology, introduced to the unsuspecting wireless world, to being included under the Bluetooth SIG umbrella. The technology is being hyped as “the missing link between small devices and mobile/devices/personal computers”, so the total available market (TAM) is significant.

Bluetooth SIG Continuing Market Research Relationship with IMS - 11 June 2007

The Bluetooth SIG has signed a two-year contact with IMS Research to continue to offer IMS’ Worldwide Annual Bluetooth Report free to Promoter and Associate members of the Bluetooth SIG. Adopter members can receive the report at a 25% discount.

Bluetooth In-Vehicle Technology the way forward? - 10 June 2007

Bluetooth has now been around for over a decade and has established itself at the forefront of in-vehicle wireless technologies. The multifunctional capacities of Bluetooth allows drivers and passengers to simultaneously make handsfree calls, listen to their portable music players, enjoy visual infotainment and be navigated to their chosen destination.

Bluetooth versus Combination ICs in Handsets - 21 May 2007

To date, Bluetooth has been the single most successful wireless technology (the volumes speak for themselves. However, the wireless communications industry is converging and “wireless coexistence” is now vital to the future success of a large number of companies in this industry. Companies who have traditionally focused on a single radio technology are now branching out into other technologies to keep up with the fast pace of this evolving industry.

Bluetooth Headsets & Mobile Music - 18 May 2007

With many Bluetooth enabled cellular handsets now including audio streaming capabilities through the Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) and as more consumers become more familiar with the concept of “music on the mobile phone”, IMS Research predict stereo headsets will be the next most appropriate accessory to accompany the cellular handset.

Bluetooth™ Takes a Bigger Bite - 30 October 2006

Shipments of equipment enabled by Bluetooth wireless technology have increased tenfold in three years, to over 250 million units in 2005, according to the latest detailed report by IMS Research “The World Market for Bluetooth – 2006 Edition”. (Note that this report will be sent to Promoter and Associate members of the Bluetooth SIG. Adopter members can obtain it at a significant discount). Shipments are predicted to double this year, and are forecast to exceed one billion in 2008 and 1.5 billion in 2010.

Convergence Increases the Importance of Cellular Handsets to Bluetooth - 30 October 2006

The sharp rise in the number of smart and feature phones has meant that the demand for extra connectivity is becoming an extremely crucial factor. The cellular handset market continues remains the key application for Bluetooth.

PMPs & Stereo Headsets Winning Combination for Bluetooth - 30 October 2006

The market for portable digital media players (PMPs) has grown significantly in the last few years and is forecast to increase to around 270 million units in 2011. The success of products such as the iPOD from Apple has boosted the profile of these products in the consumer mind and with the release of competitive products such as Microsoft’s ZUNE IMS Research has predicted that this market will continue to boom.

Ultra-Wideband Prepares Itself for the Mobile Phone Market - 13 July 2006

Wellingborough, UK 3 July, 2006 - According to a new report from IMS Research UWB is forecast to penetrate this market in low volume in 2007 and rise to a penetration rate of around 20% by 2011. The report entitled The Worldwide Market for Ultra-Wideband reveals that Wireless USB is predicted to be the first PAL to market, taking an early lead while UWB/Bluetooth draft specifications are finalised. By 2011 Bluetooth over UWB is expected to take the lead in this market. However, multiple protocol layers are expected to prevail in this product.

Bluetooth SIG & IMS Research Renew Groundbreaking Agreement - 30 May 2006

Wellingborough, UK (29 May 2006):The Bluetooth® wireless market has had an astounding year during 2005. The increasingly fast pace of the market during the last 12 months has confirmed Bluetooth wireless technology’s transition to a mainstream technology.

This has lead to a renewed contract between the Bluetooth SIG and IMS Research to offer Promoter and Associate members of the Bluetooth SIG a free copy of IMS Research’s Worldwide Annual Bluetooth Technology Report – 2006 Edition. Adopter members can receive the report at a 50% discount.

Popularity of UWB Protocol Adaptation Layers - 23 May 2006

Wellingborough, UK (23 May) – A new UWB report by IMS Research reveals that a number of UWB-enabled products are expected to incorporate multiple Protocol Adaptation Layers (PAL).

Multiple UWB Solutions Shipping - 22 May 2006

Wellingborough, UK (19 May) – A new UWB report by IMS Research reveals that proprietary UWB solutions are predicted to account for the majority of UWB products shipped in 2006. However, volumes of WiMedia based UWB-enabled products are predicted to quickly surpass those which are proprietary based.

Exciting Future for Ultra-Wideband - 17 May 2006

Wellingborough, UK (16 May) – At a critical time when UWB-enabled products are ready to hit the market, IMS Research has produced a new research report entitled, “The Worldwide Market for UWB”.

Astounding Growth for Bluetooth - 23 February 2006

Bluetooth radio shipments have experienced yet another record quarter resulting in growth of 244% between 2004 and 2005. In the second half of the year, radio shipments averaged close to 10MU per week and further impressive growth is forecast for 2006. Cellular terminals and headsets continue to be major volume applications for Bluetooth and both showed impressive growth during 2005.

UWB Camps Agree to Disagree - 23 February 2006

Last month it was announced that the IEEE withdrew the January 2003 project authorization request that initiated the development of high data rate Ultra-Wideband (UWB) standards.

Wireless Technologies Working Together at CES - 03 January 2006

With CES about to commence, 2006 is set to be a big year for wireless technologies. There has been a recent concerted effort by the Bluetooth SIG, the Wi-Fi Alliance, the NFC Forum and UWB developers to work together. This combined effort should help unite these technologies with an overall wireless strategy for selected devices, which will be demonstrated at forthcoming shows in 2006.

A Realistic View on Bluetooth Markets - 09 December 2005

Wellingborough, UK – Recent months have seen a variety of inflated estimates on the size of the Bluetooth market; some have even estimated radio shipments in excess of 300 million units in 2005. After completing its market leading annual research into the Bluetooth market, IMS Research predicts total Bluetooth equipment shipments of 218 million units in 2005, equating to between 260 and 270 million radio shipments.

Cost – The Biggest Barrier to Bluetooth Success? - 09 December 2005

Wellingborough, UK – Awareness within the Bluetooth supplier industry of the major barriers to the long term success of Bluetooth has historically been focussed upon interoperability and ease of use, however, in a survey of OEMs conducted earlier this year “cost” was seen as the most significant barrier.

FTTP Wins the Race to Deliver Beyond 100Mbps - 03 October 2005

Broadband access growth has been on the rise due in part to demand for triple-play service offerings. In the race to deliver the highest bandwidth to the subscriber, fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) is the best solution. IMS Research estimates that there will be more than five million FTTP subscribers by the end of 2005.

Wireless Technologies – Competitive or Complementary? - 22 September 2005

At a critical time when the wireless industry is in an exciting state of change, IMS Research has produced a new research report entitled, “Wireless Technologies – Competitive or Complementary?”

This report examined how a number of short range wireless technologies penetrated into 12 end equipment markets and whether this was to the detriment of other technologies or as a complimentary offering. With so many technologies to chose from; Bluetooth, UWB, WLAN, Zigbee and NFC, to name but a few, manufacturers have the difficult task of deliberating which technologies best suit their customer needs offering price sensitive applications.

FTTP Benefits From Government Support - 20 July 2005

Witnessing the growth of fiber-to-the-premises in Asia, it is not surprising that there are several government initiatives in this region that support broadband expansion enabling bandwidth speeds that are provided by FTTP deployments. IMS Research estimates that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for over 80% of all FTTP subscribers in 2004. The US, which is estimated to account for 5% of worldwide FTTP subscribers, has fallen behind in government support of FTTP.

Broadband Powerline: Myth or Reality? - 14 July 2005

With worldwide connections soaring past 150 million at the end of 2004, it is no wonder that operators are trying to find different ways to rapidly increase market penetration, especially in the potentially lucrative rural areas where DSL and cable have yet to reach. Some believe that broadband powerline access (BPL) is the answer to rural demand of broadband services.

European FTTP Shouldn't be Overlooked - 27 May 2005

Fiber-to-the-premises in Asia and in the US is at the forefront of broadband news. However, Europe should not be disregarded. In fact, FTTP subscribers in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region are forecast by IMS Research to exceed three million by the end of 2009.

Big Growth for VDSL Broadband - 12 May 2005

VDSL broadband subscribers have been growing substantially over the last year driven by demand for streaming video and VOD services. IMS Research predicts that global VDSL usage will increase by 90% in 2005.

Bluetooth and UWB Combine Expertise - 06 May 2005

In an important move this week, the Bluetooth SIG announced it would work with UWB developers to combine the strengths of the two technologies. IMS Research believe this collaboration is set to guarantee the success of both Bluetooth and UWB.

Bluetooth Still Largely Unknown Amongst Women - 21 April 2005

In a recent worldwide survey, IMS Research found out that only 35% of women were aware of Bluetooth. This contrasted heavily with the equivalent male figure. It was a similar story for recognition of the Bluetooth logo.

What Bluetooth Products do People Want & How Much Are They Willing to Pay? - 21 April 2005

In a recent survey of over 2000 consumers, IMS Research found that consumer demand for Bluetooth products is focused upon a relatively well defined set of product types, some of which may come as a little bit of a surprise.

Broadband Subscribers Surge Past 150 Million - 03 March 2005

IMS Research has revealed that the number of broadband subscribers has just passed 150 million worldwide. According to the company’s latest broadband database update, this represented an increase of 51 million since the beginning of 2004. This tremendous rate of growth shows no signs of slowing, and IMS Research is forecasting that the number of broadband subscribers will surpass 400 million during 2009.

Exciting Future for Bluetooth in New Areas - 06 December 2004

2004 has proved a very good year for Bluetooth, increased penetration into cellular terminals and the expanding headset market have prompted a healthy level of growth. The increased uptake in these volume markets, especially cellular terminals, has meant the door is now open for Bluetooth to make significant in-roads into new application areas.

Ericsson Closure of Bluetooth Licensing Business – NOT a Doomsday Scenario - 15 November 2004

Many industry pundits identified that the closure of Ericsson Technology Licensing (ETL) has spelt the death knell for the long-term future of Bluetooth. However, IMS Research believes the main reason for the closure of ETL is that they could not see a long-term viable future for their IP licensing model. The Bluetooth market has developed much more rapidly than was anticipated 18 months ago. IC prices have plummeted, volumes have soared and the market has moved sharply towards single-chip solutions. Although Ericsson has an established customer base within a number of notable IC vendors, the dramatic fall in IC prices has prevented new IC players (prospective customers for ETL) from successfully entering the market.

IMS Research Raises its Global Bluetooth Forecasts - 15 November 2004

A strong performance in the cellular terminal market over the past 8-12 months coupled with the long awaited growth spurt of Bluetooth enabled headsets has prompted IMS Research into increasing its forecasts for global shipments of Bluetooth enabled equipment.

A New Dawn in Powerline Networking - 31 August 2004

While powerline-to-the-home broadband connectivity has been in the news spotlight lately, powerline networking within the home has been quietly moving forward. Based on a recent study, IMS Research forecasts that the number of broadband powerline home networks will reach over 8 million by 2009.

New Standard Secures Wi-Fi’s Continued Growth - 17 August 2004

The IEEE has recently approved the 802.11i standard to be used to improve the security of all other 802.11 standards. IMS Research identifies this as one of the main drivers behind the growth of wireless home networks, and forecasts that by 2009, approximately 82% of home networks will have some wireless element, and about 57% of all home networks will be exclusively wireless.

Multimedia Gateways Market to Reach $9 Billion - 23 July 2004

Multimedia / Media Center PCs are expected to be used in a growing number of residential gateway deployments, according to a new IMS Research study. From 2003 to 2009, this market is forecast to see growth of over 200% in the number of devices shipped worldwide.

Home Networks to Surpass 100 Million - 07 July 2004

IMS Research expects there to be over 100 million home networks worldwide by the end of 2009, according to a recent study. The growth of this market is primarily driven by consumers’ desires to share broadband Internet access and digital TV content within the home.