24% Increase in WiMAX Patents Anticipates Rapidly Accelerating Market Expansion

The WTRS WiMAX IP & Patent Report analyzes the intellectual property ownership and development of companies in the emerging ‘Wireless Broadband’ segment in order to track early strategic and technology shifts in the marketplace. The substantial increase in patent activity in the last two years is a key to understanding the potent growth possibilities in WiMAX success. Intel and Samsung continue their predominance in WiMAX patent filings.

“I was surprised by the level of activity in the WiMAX IP and patent sphere in the last year,” says Dr Kirsten West, Principal Analyst of WTRS. “IP filings are moving to application-based patents, indicating a maturing of the WiMAX market.”

The WTRS WiMAX IP & Patent Report findings include:

1. Patent growth accelerating in WiMAX area to 628 patents, 24% increase over 2007 research.
2. New research focuses on interaction and handoff between WiMAX and Wi-Fi networks.
3. Dominance of Samsung and Intel in new patent filings continues.
4. Strong growth in IEEE 802.16e -related IP development.
5. Evolution of WiBro patent filings to application, and end-product related work.

The report uses only publicly available information, gathered from public patent sources, company information, and other research.