SINGAPORE, Dec. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- The Asia Pacific general purpose test and measurement equipment market anticipates witnessing stable growth over the forecast period, mainly due to good performance of the communications, electronic manufacturing and semiconductor sectors. While electronic exports

from Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and Singapore are likely to have a profound impact on the overall demand for general purpose test and measurement equipment, the demand for middle- and low-end products, such as oscilloscopes, function generators and multimeters segments, expects to be sustained by the educational sector comprising universities, polytechnics and training labs.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.frost.com/ ), Asia Pacific General Purpose Test and Measurement Equipment Market, reveals that revenues in this market totaled $656.2 million in 2005 and can reach $922.9 million in 2012.

If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides manufacturers, end users, and other industry participants with an overview of the latest analysis of the Asia Pacific General Purpose Test and Measurement Equipment Market, then send an e-mail to Donna Jeremiah, Corporate Communications, at djeremiah@frost.com with your full name, company name, title, telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address. Upon receipt of the above information, an overview will be sent to you by e-mail.

"Importantly, the communications industry is expected to be a key driver for the growth of the Asia Pacific general purpose test and measurement equipment market," notes Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Arun Kumar C. "This is evident because sectors such as broadband communications, microwave communications, satellite communications, military applications and mobile telephony are seeing high growth throughout the region."

Noteworthy developments in the regions communications front include the deployments of wireless local area network (WLAN) and commercialization of ultra-wideband (UWB) in South Korea and Japan. Some other developments are the expansion of 3G technologies in Taiwan, Australia, Japan, and South Korea, deployment of Wi-Max in Taiwan and Australia, and the slated completion of the switch to digital transmission of TV signals in Japan and Australia by 2010.

This apart, interviews with the key market participants also showed that the military and defense sector hold considerable potential. Expenditure on military fortification and defense surveillance is likely to rise uniformly throughout the Asia Pacific region, helping sustain the demand for general purpose test and measurement equipment. This driver is likely to have a medium impact on the market during the forecast period.

Notwithstanding these positives, market participants will have to face the intensifying price-based competition, which threatens to reduce the already low margins. This is particularly evident in the middle-end and low-end product segments where many local participants compete solely on price. Moreover, the entry of low-priced Chinese products is further affecting the market, tightening overall margins.

"In the case of PXI- and PC-based equipment, the challenge lies in the market, as it is highly fragmented with a huge number of participants offering a limited set of solutions," says Kumar. "Despite the market for the above equipment growing at a very rapid rate, margins expect to decline due to the above mentioned fragmentation."

Given these challenges, market participants need to adopt an efficient and robust operating model that helps them become price competitive. Following a 'high variable costs' operational model could help safeguard against the cyclical downturns that are very common in the industry and also keep prices low, thereby ensuring overall competitiveness.

Asia Pacific General Purpose Test and Measurement Equipment Market is part of the Test and Measurement Subscription. It provides a detailed

analysis on various general purpose test equipment that cater to a number of end-user segments such as defense, electronics manufacturing, and so on. In this research service, Frost & Sullivan's expert analysts thoroughly examine the following markets/applications/technologies: power meters, electronic counters, multimeters, signal generators, spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, network analyzers, logic analyzers, LCR meters, VXI test equipment, PXI test equipment, PC-based test equipment, arbitrary waveform generators and function generators. Interviews are available to the press.

Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more than 40 years. The company's industry expertise integrates growth consulting, growth partnership service, and corporate management training to identify and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment community by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics. For more information, visit http://www.frost.com/ .

    Asia Pacific General Purpose Test and Measurement Equipment Market
                                   4A0B

   Contact:
   Donna Jeremiah
   Corporate Communications - APAC
   P: +603 6204 5832
   F: +603 6201 7402
   E: djeremiah@frost.com

   Tori Foster
   Corporate Communications - North America
   P: +1.210.477.8448
   F: +1.210.348.1003
   E: tori.foster@frost.com

   Srividhya Parthasarathy
   Corporate Communications - Europe
   P: + 91 44 42044668
   E: sparthasarathy@frost.com

   Surbhi Dedhia
   Corporate Communications - South Asia, Middle East
   P: +91 22 2832 4705 Ext: 131
   E: sdedhia@frost.com

   http://www.frost.com/

Keywords in this release: general purpose test and measurement equipment, Asia Pacific

CONTACT: Donna Jeremiah, Corporate Communications - APAC, +603-6204-5832, or fax, +603-6201-7402, or djeremiah@frost.com , or Tori Foster, Corporate Communications - North America, +1-210-477-8448, or fax, +1-210-348-1003, or tori.foster@frost.com , or Srividhya Parthasarathy, Corporate Communications - Europe, +91-44-42044668, or sparthasarathy@frost.com , or Surbhi Dedhia, Corporate Communications - South Asia, Middle East, +91-22-2832-4705, ext. 131, or sdedhia@frost.com , all of Frost & Sullivan

Web site: http://www.frost.com/