3/27/2006 -- WiMAX-related program activities have exploded over the last two years, growing from not quite $18.7 million in 2004 to $142.3 million last year.

That's according to new research from market watcher Infonetics, which says that's just a taste of what's to come. From 2005 to 2009, the market watcher projects WiMAX-related revenues will explode to $1.6 billion. That makes for a five-year CAGR of 139 percent, if you're counting.

Outdoor wireless mesh access nodes -- which an increasing number of municipalities are tapping to provide broadband Internet access -- grew from just $10 million in 2004 revenues to more than $110 million last year. That's a 1,114 percent improvement, according to Infonetics. "Thirst for broadband is driving demand for more bandwidth, with enterprises connecting more sites and service providers connecting more POPs, WiFi hotspots, and increasingly, 3G base stations," said Infonetics analyst Richard Webb, in a statement. "They need to do this cheaply and wired solutions are not always available or cost-efficient. That leaves WiMAX with a big future, as it offers a viable wireless solution to growing broadband connectivity and backhaul demands."

By the fourth quarter of 2005, WiMAX revenues topped $46 million while units reached 33,000. This performance was boosted by the certification of WiMAX products late in the year, Infonetics says. In the fourth quarter, 47 percent of total WiMAX revenues were from sales of base stations, while 53 percent were from CPE. Not surprisingly, North America -- which Infonetics says has taken the initiative in WiMAX deployment -- is the biggest overall market, with 42 percent of share in 2005, followed by Europe, the Middle East and Africa (with 30 percent); and Asia Pacific (with 24 percent). -Stephen Swoyer