Short range wireless ICs, including Bluetooth, NFC, UWB, 802.15.4 and Wi-Fi have been widely adopted in computing, communication and consumer products in recent years.

"The market for short range wireless ICs is booming in 2010," says ABI Research analyst Celia Bo. "Total shipments will increase approximately 18 percent compared to 2009."

Bluetooth ICs, which lead the short range wireless IC market, are expected to exceed 55 percent of total Short Range Wireless IC shipments in 2010. The cellular handset segment is seen to be maintaining the highest unit shipment of Bluetooth-enabled products, followed distantly by the notebook and UMD segment.

Bluetooth-enabled home entertainment products form an emerging market that is forcing an increase in the Bluetooth IC shipments, and the networked and handheld game consoles will also see wide adoption.

Bo concludes, "Bluetooth Low Energy wireless technology opens an absolutely new and very significant market opportunity for products and devices that need low cost and low power wireless connectivity."

ABI Research’s market data product, “Short Range Wireless ICs: Bluetooth, NFC, UWB, 802.15.4 and Wi-Fi Market Forecasts,” addresses marketing and technical analysis of Bluetooth, NFC, UWB, 802.15.4, Wi-Fi and Combo Wireless Connectivity ICs. The forecast information is broken down by applications, including computers, communication devices and consumer electronic products. The study is included in two of the firm’s Research Services: Short Range Wireless and Semiconductors.