This report provides an in-depth analysis of the market drivers and restraints, industry trends, and competitive environment in addition to the challenges and issues faced by market participants. In addition, the study discusses the key industry participants, technology expertise, and major customers. In this research, Frost & Sullivan's expert analysts thoroughly examine the following segments: switches, filters, power amplifiers, and transceivers.

Explosion of Smartphones and LTE Phones Buoys the World Handset RF Semiconductor Market

In most countries, the global handset industry has evolved at a furious pace from a simple voice service to the current video broadcasting. The demand for improved functionality particularly in smartphones and long-term evolution (LTE) phones has increased radio frequency (RF) component requirements in handsets. The number of RF semiconductor components in handsets has escalated steeply, increasing the cost share of these components in the baseband module. Handsets that support multi-mode cellular operation are witnessing vigorous uptake and these handsets require more switches to effectively switch between these modes. This has resulted in an upsurge in demand for switches. “New market penetration, particularly in the developing countries, has triggered a spike in the number of handsets sold worldwide,” notes the analyst of this research service. “With burgeoning mobile sales, the demand for switches has experienced an uptrend.”

On the back of worldwide 3G deployments, the number of services offered to customers has proliferated. New services such as ground positioning systems (GPS), video calling facility, location-based services, and so on are being offered by network operators particularly in the developing countries, where 3G is deployed. To support these new features, high-end phones should be used and this has boosted the demand for RF components. Phones with improved functionality are required in order to receive new services, thus triggering greater demand for new model handsets.

Technical Complexities Slow Pace of Market Growth

Technical complexity and the ever-changing customer requirements pose impediments for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Adding to this complexity is the demand for new functionality from high-end mobiles. Decreasing returns from component sales are also causing angst for participants. The integration of many components onto a single module poses a greater technical challenge in the baseband design. Board space needs to be at a minimum, yet more components are to be integrated. The level of integration in the front-end module will continue in the future as most chip manufacturers seek to achieve a single chip solution. Effective management of power consumption in the RF components needs to be addressed for overall efficiency of the baseband module.

Going forward, handsets will become more complex in their functionality, due to multi-bands requirements by most customers. Silicon-based complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) chips will be the choice of many in the future as they offer optimized functionality and fulfill 4G requirements. Outsourcing and complete integration of all the RF semiconductor components will give OEMs the cutting edge against competition. Growing competition from Asian participants also must be addressed. “Fierce competition in the RF components market demands the adoption of low-cost leadership by the participants to achieve better market positioning,” says the analyst. A good understanding of the subtle nuances of the handset industry is needed for OEMs to keep in step with changing customer needs.

Market Sectors

Expert analysts thoroughly examine the following market sectors in this research:

• RF
• Handset

Technologies

The following technologies are covered in this research:

• GSM
• CDMA

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Research Scope and Methodology          10
Market Segmentation                     11
Market Definition and Scope             12
Executive Summary                       13
Global Mobile Handset Scenario          14
Handset RF Market Forces                15
Mobile Components Cost Break Up         16
Total Handset RF Semiconductor Market   17
Market Engineering Measurements         18
Impact of Top Industry Challenges       19
Key Market Drivers and Restraints       21
Revenues Forecasts                      22
Competitive Analysis                    23
Handset RF Semiconductor Switches Market           24
Market Engineering Measurements                    25
Key Market Drivers and Restraints                  26
Revenue Forecasts                                  28
Competitive Analysis                               29
Future Trends                                      30
Key Participant Analysis                           31
Handset RF Semiconductor Filters Market            33
Market Engineering Measurements                    34
Key Market Drivers and Restraints                  35
Revenue Forecasts                                  37
Competitive Analysis                               38
Future Trends                                      39
Key Participant Analysis                           40
Handset RF Semiconductor Power Amplifiers Market   43
Market Engineering Measurements                    44
Key Market Drivers and Restraints                  45
Revenue Forecasts                              47
Technology Trends                              48
Competitive Analysis                           49
Future Trends                                  50
Key Participant Analysis                       51
Handset RF Semiconductor Transceivers Market   54
Market Engineering Measurements                55
Key Market Drivers and Restraints              56
Revenue Forecasts                              58
Competitive Analysis                           59
Future Trends                                  60
Key Participant Analysis                       61
Recent Mergers and Acquisitions                64
Conclusion                                     65
Wrap Up                                        66
Strategic Recommendations                      67


LIST OF FIGURES

Total Handset RF Semiconductor Market: Impact of Top Five Industry Challenges (World), 2011-2017   19
Total Handset RF Semiconductor Market: Revenue Forecasts (World), 2007-2017                        22
Total Handset RF Semiconductor Market: Competitive Structure (World), 2010                         23
Handset RF Semiconductor Switches Market: Revenue Forecasts (World), 2007-2017                     28
Handset RF Semiconductor Filters Market: Revenue Forecasts (World), 2007-2017                      37
Handset RF Semiconductor PA Market: Revenue Forecasts (World), 2007-2017                           47
Handset RF Semiconductor Transceivers Market: Revenue Forecasts (World), 2007-2017                 58


LIST OF CHARTS

Total Handset RF Semiconductor Market: Geographic Analysis (World), 2010                         14
Total Handset RF Semiconductor Market: Market Forces Analysis (World), 2010                      15
Total Handset RF Semiconductor Market: Components Cost Break Up (World), 2010                    16
Total Handset RF Semiconductor Market: Market Engineering Measurements (World), 2010             18
Total Handset RF Semiconductor Market: Key Market Drivers and Restraints (World), 2011-2017      21
Total Handset RF Semiconductor Market: Revenue Forecasts (World), 2007-2017                      22
Handset RF Semiconductor Switches Market: Market Engineering Measurements (World), 2010          25
Handset RF Semiconductor Switches Market: Key Market Drivers and Restraints (World), 2011-2017   26
Handset RF Semiconductor Switches Market: Revenue Forecasts (World), 2007-2017                   28
Handset RF Semiconductor Switches Market: Company Market Share by Revenues (World), 2010         29
Handset RF Semiconductor Filters Market: Market Engineering Measurements (World), 2010           34
Handset RF Semiconductor Filters Market: Key Market Drivers and Restraints (World), 2011-2017    35
Handset RF Semiconductor Filters Market: Revenue Forecasts (World), 2007-2017                        37
Handset RF Semiconductor Filters Market: Company Market Share by Revenues (World), 2010              38
Handset RF Semiconductor PA Market: Market Engineering Measurements (World), 2010                    44
Handset RF Semiconductor PA Market: Key Market Drivers and Restraints (World), 2011-2017             45
Handset RF Semiconductor PA Market: Revenue Forecasts (World), 2007-2017                             47
Handset RF Semiconductor PA Market: Technology Trends (World), 2000 and 2010                         48
Handset RF Semiconductor PA Market: Company Market Share by Revenues (World), 2010                   49
Handset RF Semiconductor Transceivers Market: Market Engineering Measurements (World), 2010          55
Handset RF Semiconductor Transceivers Market: Key Market Drivers and Restraints (World), 2011-2017   56
Handset RF Semiconductor Transceivers Market: Revenue Forecasts (World), 2007-2017                   58
Handset RF Semiconductor Transceivers Market: Company Market Share by Revenues (World), 2010         59
Total Handset RF Semiconductor Market: Strategic Recommendations (World), 2011-2017                 67