This IDC study covers the worldwide merchant ASSP semiconductor market for communications processor components as well as standalone microprocessors that are used in security, telecommunications, cellular infrastructure, enterprise networks, and datacenter applications. The study breaks down 2010 and 2011 revenue by company and application.

Company revenue and market share are provided for Freescale, Intel, Cavium, LSI, and Broadcom (from the acquisition of NetLogic Microsystems). Total communications processor market revenue is segmented by applications in telecommunications equipment, network security, mobile/cellular infrastructure, and enterprise network infrastructure.

"Semiconductor process technology advancements coupled with innovations in processor architectures are creating compelling solutions to meet the needs of next-generation communications infrastructure requirements." — Abhi Dugar, research manager, Wired Communications Semiconductor program