Date: 25/01/2013

Broadcom, Qualcomm and Mstar are 1-2-3 of home networking semiconductor market

ABI Research has reported its market study on wired home networking semiconductor IC market. ABI finds Broadcom lead in this market due to its delivery of multiple technologies, including MoCA, HomePlug, and Wi-Fi, and its leading role in set-top box markets. Broadcom’s market-share in 2011 (the last full calendar year available at time of publication) fell below unit market leader Entropic, but its more diverse portfolio pushed it to the top, as per ABI.

The other two leading semiconductor vendors Qualcomm Atheros (QCA) and MStar Semiconductor captured the overall second and third positions in the vendor matrix. Broadcom scored highest in both axes while Qualcomm shared second place in the Implementation category with Entropic and the Innovation category with Mstar, according to ABI.

Senior analyst Michael Inouye commented, “Broadcom’s and Qualcomm’s proactive work in the hybrid networking space were significant factors in this analysis – with Broadcom’s wider product portfolio giving the company the edge. MStar and Entropic are expected to become more competitive as their products evolve, particularly when each company offers more highly integrated solutions.”

ABI forecasts hybrid networking solutions (wired/wireless), notably wireless range extenders, will continue to gain importance as mobile devices become increasingly integral in consumers’ digital lifestyles. As part of this evolution, integrated solutions will help expand the installed bases of these wired technologies; an essential process for more widespread consumer adoption, adds ABI.

Practice director Sam Rosen added, “Companies with diverse product portfolios offer more highly integrated solutions, and allow manufacturers to develop unified platforms to suit operator’s needs on a regional basis. Both Broadcom and Qualcomm have diversified and integrated portfolios. Other vendors rely on partnerships to offer reference designs for new markets. In the future, G.hn could dramatically alter the landscape of the wired home networking markets, impacting upcoming vendor matrices.”
Author: Srinivasa Reddy N