How is the telecommunications industry impacting the MMW technology sector?

Published On: October 2022

Due to the vast amount of underutilized bandwidth in this region of the electromagnetic spectrum, millimeter-wave bands have attracted much attention in recent years. Millimeter-wave and sub-millimeter waves are suitable for the highest capacities required by 5G enhanced Mobile Broadband (10 Gpbs peak throughput and 10 Mbps/m2) due to the significant advantages offered by the propagation characteristics in terms of frequency re-usability and large channel bandwidths. The access networks can effectively leverage the millimeter-wave bands to boost the user equipment's backhaul/front haul and throughput.


The market for millimeter wave technology is predicted to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 39.1% from 2022 to 2030, from an estimated USD 2.03 billion in 2021 to USD 38.55 billion in 2030. The MMW technology market is expected to grow because of expanding R&D efforts and steadily rising demand from the telecommunications industry. The telecom industry now needs high-bandwidth, high-speed internet due to the steadily increasing demand from bandwidth-intensive applications driven mainly by consumer electronics like smartphones and wearable devices.


There has been an increased demand for speedier network services from telecom providers as technology develops and consumers become more dependent on their phones, video game consoles, and laptops. The 5G generation of communications technology is the result of this.


The industry is mainly focused on integrating this technology and working out how to properly support it, even if 5G is still in its early stages. Given millimeter waves' high level of safety and how well they complement 5G's capabilities, it is likely that they will dominate telecommunications in the future.


The market is also developing because of the expanding infrastructure deployments for faster access to data, videos, voice, and services, as well as the rising demand for high-speed networks for accessing intelligent systems at the household and commercial levels. Demand is also anticipated to increase throughout the expected time due to the rising use of internet services, e-governance, and cloud computing. However, over the projection period, the market expansion is anticipated to be constrained by technological range restrictions and propagation issues brought on by environmental or climatic factors. Additionally, as technology is a form of line-of-sight communication, it might encounter a few more challenges as it develops without problems.


Disaster recovery, the defense and aerospace (MDA) industry, the automotive and transportation industry, the military, financial/banking, retail, consumer & commercial, mobile & telecom sectors, high-definition television (HDTV) broadcast, healthcare, transportation, video surveillance, and emerging and next-generation applications are some of the applications where millimeter wave technology can be used. Short-range radar, backhaul for wireless base stations, and airport body scanners are a few further uses for millimeter wave technology.


The telecom industry has transformed thanks to the widespread use of millimeter wave technology in telecommunications equipment. The fifth generation (5G) of cellular communication is undergoing a revolution thanks to millimeter waves, which can transmit gigabits of data per second.


MMW technology is increasingly being used in imaging and scanning systems, improving their properties by bringing stability and dependability. Additionally, using technology in scanners enhances the accuracy of security systems. Systems for radio and satellite communication are essential to a country's national security. Security systems have improved in effectiveness and dependability with the use of millimeter wave technology in radar and satellite communication, upgrading defensive strategies.


Due to the expanding need for high-speed data transfer and communication from the residential and commercial sectors, including data centers and IT offices, the telecommunications category held the largest market share of over 49.18% in 2021. Due to the rollout of 5G technology, telecommunications applications are anticipated to expand rapidly throughout the projected period. For a 5G network, MMW technology works well.


Conclusion


The demand for bandwidth-intensive applications, rising mobile data traffic, and the increased use of millimeter wave technology in small cell backhaul networks are the main growth drivers of the global millimeter wave technology market. Radar and security applications are other areas with high potential for millimeter wave technology use.