Modems (baseband chips)

Main article: Semiconductors (world market)

2021: Market growth by 19.5% to $31.4 billion

The volume of the global market for baseband chips (modems used to connect mobile and other devices to cellular networks) at the end of 2021 amounted to $31.4 billion, which is 19.5% more than a year earlier. Such data researchers Strategy Analytics published in April 2022.

According to analysts, products supporting 5G networks in 2021 accounted for about 66% of modem sales in money, and the growth of this segment was equal to 71%.

Baseband Chip Market Leaders

Qualcomm remained the market leader in baseband chips in 2021, which delivered more than 800 million chips during this 12-month period. The leadership of the American company is facilitated by the supply of X60 modems for iPhone 13 and solutions for expensive Android devices.

Qualcomm has also gained significant popularity in segments not related to mobile phones, such as cars, IoT, tablets with cellular support, fixed wireless access, etc., thanks to a diverse set of baseband chips, "said Sravan Kundojjala, Deputy Director of Strategy Analytics

The study says that MediaTek, Qualcomm and Unisoc were able to increase market shares in 2021, while Intel, HiSilicon and Samsung LSI, on the contrary, experienced a decline.

Shravan Kundozhayala says that the supply of MediaTek modems by the end of 2021 has more than tripled thanks to orders for the production of 5G chips for Samsung devices and Chinese partners. In addition, MediaTek focused on the segment of LTE solutions of the initial and middle levels and took part of the share from Qulacomm in the market of modems for smartphones, the expert added.

The study also said that baseband chip developers for the Internet of Things ASR Microelectronics, Nordic Semiconductor, Sequans and Sony were able to demonstrate good results, despite problems with the supply of silicon wafers.^[1]

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