According to a newly released report by Exact Ventures, In 1Q16, the market for IMS equipment (wireline + wireless)  was down 16% sequentially and 5% versus 1Q15 to $535 M. The wireline segment grew slightly while the Wireless/VoLTE segment was impacted by transition issues at Nokia as it integrates the former Alcatel-Lucent and as some of it very large VoLTE customers pause purchasing as they await the results of the integration.  Nokia’s stumble was Ericsson’s, Huawei’s and Mitel’s gain as they all grew market share during the quarter.  The Wireless-VoLTE category was down 21% sequentially and 7% Y/Y.

We forecast that the total market will grow by 25% in 2016 to reach $2.8 B, as wireless/VoLTE investments grow 26% and wireline spending rebounds to grow 22%.