MULTIPLE INPUT MULTIPLE OUTPUT (MIMO) MARKET ANALYSIS

The multiple input multiple output (MIMO) market size is expected to reach US$ 21.98 Billion by 2030, from US$ 10.93 Billion in 2023, at a CAGR of 10.5% during the forecast period.

MIMO is a wireless technology that uses multiple transmitters and receivers to transfer more data at the same time. It offers higher throughput, extended coverage, improved link reliability, and increased capacity. The market is driven by the rising demand for high-speed data services. The multiple input multiple output (MIMO) market is segmented by technology, application, type, antenna type, end user, and region. By technology, the market is categorized into LTE and 5G.

Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) Market Regional Insights

• North America: This region is expected to be the largest market for multiple input multiple output (MIMO) market during the forecast period, accounting for over 35% of the market share in 2023. The growth of the market in North America is attributed to the early adoption of MIMO technology by telecom operators and investments in 5G infrastructure.
• Europe: This region is expected to be the second-largest market for multiple input multiple output (MIMO) market, accounting for over 30% of the market share in 2023. The growth is attributed to increasing smartphone penetration and rising investments in 4G and 5G networks.
• Asia Pacific: This region is expected to be the fastest-growing market for multiple input multiple output (MIMO) market, with a CAGR of over 25% during the forecast period. The growth is attributed to government initiatives for digital transformation and growing demand for high-speed mobile broadband.

Figure 1. Global Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) Market Share (%), by Region, 2023

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Analyst viewpoint:

The Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) Market is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period, driven by increasing demand for high-throughput and reliable wireless connectivity solutions. MIMO technology helps in boosting network capacity without the need for additional spectrum or infrastructure investment. The technology allows the placement of multiple antennas at both the transmitter and receiver ends to minimize errors and improve data transfer speed. With rising data traffic worldwide due to emerging technologies like 5G, AI (Artificial intelligence), and IoT (Internet of Things), MIMO systems are being increasingly adopted by telecom operators.

Geographically, North America is anticipated to dominate the market owing to large-scale early 5G deployments across the region. The Asia Pacific is also expected to showcase promising growth prospects led by countries like China and India, where network upgrades are in full swing.                          

Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) Market Drivers:

• Increasing Demand for High-Speed Data Services: The rising demand for seamless connectivity and high-speed data services is driving the adoption of MIMO technology. MIMO offers higher bandwidth and throughput to support data-intensive applications. According to Cisco forecasts, Global IP traffic grew 26% to 5.4 zettabytes in operation by 2021. Much of this traffic is now mobile, as people remain connected even when on the go.
• Growth of Mobile Devices and Smartphone Penetration: With the ever-increasing number of mobile device users and the higher data throughput required for advanced smartphone features, MIMO is essential for meeting these connectivity demands. According to statistics from the International Telecommunication Union, global mobile data traffic grew by 63% in 2021, reaching 48.5 exabyte’s per month, and this trend is projected to continue growing exponentially.
• Advancements in Wireless Communication Standards: The transition to new wireless communication standards such as Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and the deployment of 5G networks both leverage MIMO technology extensively for improved capacity and efficiency. As mobile data consumption continues to rise exponentially with more users and applications, wireless network capacity must keep up with this demand.  By 2025, 5G is projected to support about a quarter of the world's mobile data traffic.
• Technological Advancements in MIMO: Advancements such as multi-user MIMO, massive MIMO, and 3D MIMO are expanding the application scope of the technology. These are expected to improve network efficiencies in the coming years. According to projections by the UN International Telecommunication Union, global mobile data traffic is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of over 25% from 2020 to 2023.
• Increased Network Traffic: The exponential growth in global internet traffic, including both personal and business data consumption, has compelled network providers to adopt MIMO technology to scale their network capacity and manage the traffic effectively. According to data by the International Telecommunications Union, total internet traffic was estimated to be around 3.7 zettabytes (trillion gigabytes) per year in 2021. This volume is projected to increase almost threefold to around 11.5 zettabytes per year by 2023.

Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) Market Opportunities:

• Deployment of 5G network: As telecom operators continue to deploy 5G networks, there is significant opportunity for MIMO technologies, which are integral to 5G standards. Massive MIMO, in particular, is expected to be widely adopted in 5G networks, offering opportunities for equipment manufacturers and service providers. As more countries launch 5G, the demand for MIMO will surge. According to projections by the International Telecommunication Union, the percentage of people with access to 5G networks will rise from less than 5% currently to over 55% by 2023.
• Smart City Projects to increase stability in communication: With the global push towards smart cities, MIMO can play a vital role in providing the necessary infrastructure for IoT connectivity, ensuring stable and efficient communication for smart grids, transportation, and public services. Looking ahead, a recent report by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs estimated that 68% of the world's population will live in urban areas by 2050.
• Adoption Wi-Fi 6: The new Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) standard employs MIMO technology, creating opportunities for MIMO implementation in consumer electronics, enterprise, and public Wi-Fi infrastructure to accommodate more users and provide better service in dense environments. We are already seeing tremendous enthusiasm for Wi-Fi 6 globally as shipments of Wi-Fi 6 compatible devices explode in 2021. According to data from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, worldwide smartphone shipments grew by 7% year-over-year in 2021, with Wi-Fi 6 supported models accounting for over 20% of total shipments.
• Automotive Connectivity to develop and improve road safety: The automotive sector presents opportunities for MIMO in enabling reliable vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications, which is critical for the development of autonomous vehicles and improving road safety and traffic efficiency. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), road accidents led to 38,824 deaths in the U.S. In 2020. Timely sharing of location, motion, and other rich sensory data in a decentralized manner through global MIMO connectivity can significantly reduce such accidents.

Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) Market Trends:

• Beam forming Techniques: Advanced beam forming is becoming more common in MIMO systems to enhance signal quality and data rates. This technology allows for more targeted signal transmission, offering improvements in network efficiency and coverage. An illustrative example is a successful pilot project conducted in 2021 by Reliance Jio it is a Telecommunications Company offering services such as connectivity, fiber, mobile devices, apps, and business solutions. It is integrating its IoT solution with top meter OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturer) and has tied up system in integrators for the rollout.
• Integration with AI and Machine Learning: AI and machine learning algorithms are increasingly being used in MIMO systems to optimize network performance, manage complex signal processing tasks, and predict channel conditions for better resource allocation. For example, many new MIMO systems released in 2022 by companies like Ericsson, Huawei and Nokia have embedded AI chips that leverage machine learning algorithms to analyze radio frequency patterns and automatically select the ideal MIMO mode for different environments. This provides end users with faster, more reliable connectivity without any manual configuration being required.
• MU-MIMO Enhancements: Multi-User MIMO (MU-MIMO) technology is continuously evolving to support more simultaneous users and devices. This enables network operators to offer better service in environments with a high concentration of devices, such as stadiums, concert venues, and conference centers. According to projections from the Global IP Traffic Forecast released in 2021 by Cisco, it is an technology company that develops, manufactures, and sells networking hardware, software, telecommunications equipment and other high-technology services and products, global Wi-Fi traffic will account for over 70% of worldwide IP traffic and exceed wired traffic by 2023 as more users connect over Wi-Fi networks with MU-MIMO support.
• Higher-Order MIMO Configurations: To meet the growing demand for bandwidth and high-quality connections, manufacturers are exploring higher-order MIMO configurations that can support more data streams for even greater efficiency and performance. According to 2021 Annual Report by Deutsche Telekom provides mobile communications, IPTV products and services, fixed networks, internet, and information and communication technology (ICT) for business and corporate customers, over 50% of their 5G sites in Germany's largest cities now support 8T8R and 16T16R MIMO. Similarly, Verizon Telecommunications Company, offers wireless and wire line communications services and products such as corporate networking solutions, data center and cloud services, security and managed network services, and local and long-distance voice services,   announced they achieved average 5G download speeds over 1Gbps in some U.S. cities by utilizing a combination of millimeter wave spectrum and 64T64R MIMO configurations on their network (Verizon Q2 2022 Earnings Call).

Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) Market Restraints:

• High Implementation Costs: Upgrading existing infrastructure to support MIMO technology comes with high costs. This includes not only the physical hardware but also software and service expenses, which can restrain market growth, especially in cost-sensitive regions. As demand for MIMO technology grows, economies of scale come into play. Larger production volumes can reduce the cost per unit for components and systems, making it more affordable for companies to adopt MIMO technology. Forming partnerships with technology providers can help in reducing costs through shared investments and expertise.
• Competition from Alternative Technologies: MIMO technology may encounter competition from other emerging wireless technologies that could potentially offer similar or better benefits. Investing in research and development can lead to advancements in MIMO technology, making it more competitive compared to alternatives. This could include work on minimizing latency, enhancing spectral efficiency, or integrating AI to optimize network performance. The full benefits of MIMO technology may not be realized unless consumer devices are also equipped with compatible MIMO technology, which may take time to become widespread.
• Energy Consumption: Advanced MIMO systems, particularly massive MIMO, can require more power to operate the large number of antennas, which can increase operational costs and concern over energy consumption. Incorporating advanced power management techniques that can dynamically adjust power consumption based on demand, usage, and channel conditions can help lower energy use in MIMO systems. While MIMO technology offers considerable benefits, it also presents challenges in terms of energy consumption, which can counterbalance market growth.
• Global and Regional Economic Factors: Uncertainties in global and regional economies can lead to reduced spending on information and communication technology infrastructure, thus restraining market growth. Implementing business models that can adapt to changing economic conditions, such as offering MIMO technology as a service or leasing equipment, can make it easier for customers to adopt the technology without large capital investments. The willingness and ability to adopt MIMO technologies can differ vastly between developed and developing regions due to disparities in economic resources, which affects the overall global market expansion.

Recent Developments

New product launches

• In February 2023, Nokia multinational telecommunications, information technology, and consumer electronics corporation, launched new AirScale massive MIMO 5G radios “Habrok” for telecom operators and enterprise networks.
• In 2023, Huawei chinese multinational technology corporation introduced its 5G MIMO antenna solutions, such as BladeAAU and BookRRU for various scenarios to enable high performance 5G networks.
• In 2021, Qualcomm recently unveiled its new Snapdragon X65 5G modem featuring 3GPP Release 16 MIMO technology to accelerate 5G deployment.
• In 2021, Ericsson launched Street Macro 6701, its 5G mMIMO radio optimized for urban environments. It offers increased coverage and capacity.

Acquisition and partnerships

• In 2023, MediaTek partnered with Verizon and Ericsson to make the 5G low-cost, low-power device ecosystem a reality.
• In 2022, Telenor and Huawei held a joint press conference during MWC Barcelona 2022 to launch their energy-efficient antenna showcase. This is the first commercial practice of using energy-efficient antennas to achieve network energy savings, resulting in a maximum energy savings of 15% for the base station.
• In 2020, Qualcomm partnered with Corning to develop 5G mm-wave infrastructure systems with high-bandwidth MIMO capabilities.

Figure 2. Global Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) Market Share (%), by Type, 2023

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Top companies in Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) Market

• Qualcomm
• Huawei
• Ericsson
• Nokia
• Intel
• Samsung
• ZTE
• Broadcom
• MIMOtech
• CISCO Systems, Inc.
• NEC
• Aviat Networks
• Ceragon Networks
• DragonWave
• Comba Telecom
• Texas Instruments
• Analog Devices
• MediaTek

Definition: Multiple input multiple output (MIMO) is a wireless technology that uses multiple transmitters and receivers (multiple antennas) to transfer more data simultaneously over the same radio channel. This increases the data transfer speed, throughput, and range of wireless systems. MIMO employs advanced signal processing algorithms to exploit multipath propagation to enhance the spectral efficiency of wireless systems. It is used in various wireless communication standards like LTE, Wi-Fi, and 5G NR to significantly boost network capacity and coverage. MIMO can be implemented in different configurations, like SIMO, MISO, and MIMO, depending on the number of transmitters and receivers used.