market update
2018
table of contents
1.0 A Letter from the Executive Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 6.0 Markets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
6.1
Phone, Tablet, and PC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
2.0 What is Bluetooth SIG, Inc.?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
6.2 Audio & Entertainment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
3.0 What is the Bluetooth Market Update?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 6.3 Automotive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
4.0 Community. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 6.4 Connected Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
4.1 Membership. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 6.5 Smart Buildling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
4.2 Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 6.6 Smart Industry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
4.3 Bluetooth 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 6.7 Smart City. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
4.4 Bluetooth mesh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 6.8 Smart Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
4.5 Shipments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
5.0 Technology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
5.1 Expanding to Meet the Needs of the IoT. . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
5.2 Audio Streaming. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
5.3 Data Transfer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
5.4 Location Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
5.5 Device Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
5.6 Shipments by Solution Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
5.7 Shipments by Radio Version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
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a letter from the
executive director
In 2018, nearly 4 billion devices will ship with Bluetooth® technology. Thanks to Bluetooth mesh networking
and the momentum of Bluetooth 5, Bluetooth is now poised as an industrial-grade connectivity solution
that will be the wireless constant in the Internet of Things (IoT) for decades to come.
Since its inception 20 years ago, Bluetooth has continuously evolved, expanding the universe
of innovative ways for things to connect — driving innovation and creating new markets.
Whether it is a connection for wireless audio, wearable devices, tracking assets, or
automating buildings, Bluetooth is the innovative force creating new consumer,
commercial, and industrial markets.
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what is Bluetooth SIG, Inc.?
Formed in 1998, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), Inc. is the organization at the heart of Bluetooth technology, serving
industry-leading member companies across the globe.
Based in Kirkland, Washington, USA, we operate as a nonprofit trade association that works with its member companies to perfect
and advance a flexible, reliable, and secure wireless communication solution that solves market challenges and helps realize a
better future.
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what is the
Bluetooth Market Update?
Supported by updated forecasts from ABI Research*, the Bluetooth Market
Update examines:
community • The growth and health of the Bluetooth SIG member community
technology markets The Bluetooth Market Update is intended to help global IoT decision makers stay
up-to-date on the role Bluetooth technology can play in their technical
roadmaps and markets.
The trends identified in the Bluetooth Market Update highlight the direction
The Bluetooth community continually expands the
technology to solve new connectivity challenges of the Bluetooth member community and technology as Bluetooth continues its
and address new market opportunities. expansion from a personal communication solution to an industrial-grade
connectivity engine.
*
Unless otherwise indicated, numbers are derived from ABI Research. Data files include: Wireless Connectivity Technology
Segmentation - Addressable Markets, Indoor Positioning RTLS Technology Infrastructure Applications. Forecasts do not b lue to ot h .co m | 5
constitute a promise to ship.
Over the last 20 years,
Bluetooth has been pivotal in enabling
compelling customer experiences. It has been
one of the key technologies underpinning the
consumer wireless revolution. The Bluetooth
community continues to grow and extend as the
technology enhances its specification in order
to retain its prominent position in
future markets.
Stuart Carlaw
Chief Research Officer,
ABI Research
community
growing collaborating embracing advancing delivering
90
Membership at the Bluetooth SIG
% growth
33,793
continues to experience strong in
membership over
31,774
growth. By the end of 2017, the 5 years
community grew to over 33,000
28,525
companies spread evenly across all
regions of the world, highlighting
25,470
the true global footprint of
35% 36%
Bluetooth technology. Americas APAC
20,426
17,756
Membership
by region
2017
29%
EMEA
specifications
Working Groups are the backbone of the Bluetooth SIG,
The hard work and commitment
bringing specifications to life.
of our working groups and
committees deliver continuous
15 70 11
innovation. With the help of
2,004 new group and committee
participants in 2017, the
Working Active New/Updated
Bluetooth SIG working groups
Groups Specification Specifications
delivered nearly one new or Projects in 2017
updated specification each month.
2,004
These groups and committees are
the reason Bluetooth technology
is the global wireless standard
powering the Internet of Things.
New group and committee
members in 2017
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growing collaborating embracing advancing delivering
Bluetooth 5
Only nine months after the
release of the latest version of
the Bluetooth core specification,
more performant whole building richer location
many of its new features became devices coverage services
commercially available in
products from the world’s leading
smartphone vendors. This sets the
stage for the widespread adoption
Bluetooth 5 found its way into high-volume
of those features in peripherals,
consumer products faster than any of our
beacons, and other key IoT
previous technology releases. Now, less than
enabling devices.
a year after its initial release, Bluetooth 5 is
available from all the leading smartphone
vendors on the planet.
Mark Powell
Executive Director | Bluetooth SIG
Bluetooth
mesh
In 2017, the Bluetooth SIG added
mesh networking capability
to Bluetooth.
industrial-grade proven, global mature, trusted
solution interoperability technology
The mesh topology, now available
on Bluetooth Low Energy, enables
the creation of large-scale device
networks and is ideally suited
for control, monitoring, and We feel like we are changing the world. We feel very strongly that
automation systems where tens, we've just delivered a third Bluetooth revolution… I think we've taken
hundreds, or thousands of devices a significant part of the world by surprise because Bluetooth has
need to reliably and securely always been considered a small personal system. And suddenly we are
communicate with one another. coming out with something that's so complete, so well-performing, and
addressing completely new territories.
Szymon Slupik
Silvair CTO and Bluetooth SIG Mesh Working Group Chair
5.2
Thanks to a membership
4.9
community driven to expand
4.6
the technology's capabilities to
4.2
address new markets, Bluetooth
3.9
shipments have maintained
3.6
uncommonly consistent
3.2
growth, and show no signs of
3.0
slowing down.
2.7
2.4
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
12 %
compound annual growth rate
(CAGR) over 10 years
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More than just a radio technology, Bluetooth
provides full stack, fit-for-purpose solutions aimed
at addressing specific connectivity needs.
technology
expanding to meet the needs of the IoT
As the demands of the IoT continue to grow, so does Bluetooth. After first addressing point-to-point connectivity, Bluetooth
expanded into broadcast communications to enable indoor positioning and location services. Now, Bluetooth mesh networking
has propelled Bluetooth into emerging markets in need of a reliable wireless solution to establish large-scale device networks.
wireless headsets sports & fitness devices point of interest information control systems
wireless speakers health & wellness devices navigation & way finding monitoring systems
in-car infotainment peripherals & accessories item & asset tracking automation systems
topology
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audio streaming data transfer location services device networks
audio The point-to-point topology available on Bluetooth BR/EDR is optimized for audio streaming,
880 million
for mobile phones.
1,230
1,160
annual shipments
1,070
970
Wireless speakers - Whether it’s a high-
880
fidelity entertainment system in the home
790
or a portable option for the beach or park,
there’s a speaker for any occasion in every
680
imaginable shape and size.
560
480
400
In-car systems - Bluetooth in-car
infotainment systems pair with driver
smartphones to enable hands-free audio
streaming and calling, allowing drivers to
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
keep their focus on what matters most.
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audio streaming data transfer location services device networks
data The Bluetooth Low Energy point-to-point topology is optimized for very low-power data
550 million
850
770
Health & wellness - From blood pressure annual shipments
700
monitors to portable ultrasound and x-ray
620
imaging systems, Bluetooth technology
helps people track and improve their
550
overall wellbeing, while making it easier
460
for healthcare professionals to provide
quality care.
380
280
PC peripherals & accessories - A driving
200
190
force behind Bluetooth is freedom from
wires. Whether it’s a keyboard, trackpad,
or mouse, consumers no longer need wires 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
to stay connected.
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audio streaming data transfer location services device networks
location The broadcast topology available on Bluetooth Low Energy is ideally suited for enabling indoor
Point-of-interest information - Retailers were among the first Bluetooth Device Shipments
to adopt point-of-interest (PoI) beacons. Smart cities are now numbers in millions
discovering how PoI beacons can improve the quality of life for
citizens and enhance the visitor experience.
400 million
annual shipments
Indoor navigation - Bluetooth beacon-based indoor navigation
and way-finding solutions have quickly become the standard
way to overcome indoor coverage challenges that GPS can't
400
address.
350
Asset and item tracking - Bluetooth beacons power the
270
rapidly growing asset tracking and item finding markets, from
inexpensive personal item tracking solutions to large-scale
asset tracking solutions found in hospitals and factory floors.
170
40
Space utilization - Bluetooth beacon solutions are being
90
10
deployed within office buildings, airports, exhibition centers,
and even on city streets around the world to enable building
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
owners and city planners to better understand how space is
being used.
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audio streaming data transfer location services device networks
device The mesh topology on Bluetooth Low Energy is optimized for creating large-scale
networks device networks.
520
(WSN) are monitoring light, temperature, humidity, and
450
occupancy to improve employee productivity, lower building
operating costs, or better meet condition and maintenance
360
requirements of production equipment to reduce
unplanned downtime.
260
170
Automation systems - Bluetooth enables the automatic,
centralized control of a building’s essential systems, including
30
100
heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), lighting, and
security to harness energy savings, lower operating costs, and
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
improve the life span of a building’s core systems.
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shipments by Bluetooth Device Shipments
3.0
2x
Point-to-point is still on the rise
30
Bluetooth location services
Despite Bluetooth technology’s expansion
2.5
% and device networks are
to support a wider range of topologies and forecasted to account for 30%
growth in annual emerging use cases, the use of Bluetooth for of all non-phone/tablet/pc
volume of audio Bluetooth devices by 2022.
streaming and data audio streaming and data transfer continues
transfer solutions to grow, with annual shipments expected to 2.0
by 2022
double in the next five years.
The introduction of new
capabilities for new
solutions ensures steady
Location services have the steepest 1.5
growth and penetration
10x
5-year growth forecast in new markets.
5x
Device network solutions are
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
predicted to grow rapidly
The launch of Bluetooth mesh has accelerated
Audio Streaming Data Transfer Location Services Device Networks
growth in annual the growth of device network solutions.
volume of Bluetooth Lighting control systems and wireless sensor
device network
products by 2022 networks are two use cases driving the
*Phone, tablet, and PC devices not included
increase in device network implementations.
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shipments by Bluetooth Device Shipments
radio version
numbers in billions
3
Multi-purpose functionality is driving
sharp growth in dual-mode chips
97 %
Since the 2010 release of Bluetooth Low
Energy, shipments of dual-mode Bluetooth
2
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Connection drives innovation.
Innovation creates markets.
For two decades, Bluetooth technology has been
creating connections that power innovation,
establish new markets, and push the limits of
wireless communication worldwide.
markets
Phones, tablets, and PCs have become portals through
which people experience every thing and every place.
And Bluetooth technology is native in all of them.
phone, tablet
& PC
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phone audio automotive device building industry city home
2.05 billion
annual shipments
2.18
2.16
2.13
2.08
2.05
2.02
2.0
1.96
1.9
1.73
100 %
of smartphones, tablets,
and laptops shipped in 2018 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
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phone audio automotive device building industry city home
Rapid adoption of The trend to design out Smartphones become Device pairing becomes
Bluetooth 5 the audio jack continues central in industrial and even easier
in smartphones commercial use cases
The proven reliability of Major device vendors are
The latest version of the Bluetooth audio has inspired The phone is emerging as a enhancing the discovery and
Bluetooth core specification smartphone manufacturers to provisioner and central tool pairing experience and making a
found its way into its first design the audio jack out of for new commercial and simple process even easier.
smartphone faster than any the phone. industrial use cases such as
previous release, further This trend signals increased location services and building
accelerating the widespread confidence in Bluetooth as a automation, making Bluetooth
deployment of connected complete wire replacement even more essential in
devices, beacons, and key IoT and positions Bluetooth as the mobile devices.
enabling solutions. default way to listen to audio.
audio &
entertainment
b lue to ot h .co m | 24
phone audio automotive device building industry city home
8 10
Bluetooth Device Shipments
numbers in billions
1.2 billion
1.6
100
annual shipments
1.5
%
1.4
1.3
1.2
1.1
of wireless game
controllers shipped in 2018
0.94
will include Bluetooth
0.77
0.65
3x
0.58
b lue to ot h .co m | 25
phone audio automotive device building industry city home
The transition to Headsets, Bluetooth is now Smart speakers Hearing aids begin
wireless speakers headphones, and dominant in game emerge in the the transition to
is almost complete earbuds lead controllers, with connected home Bluetooth
market growth TV remotes
Steady growth in following the trend A new category of 2017 saw a
portable speakers, Wireless headsets, speaker has emerged. steady stream of
soundbars, and headphones, and The transition away The smart speaker announcements
home theaters earbuds account for from proprietary market will double from hearing aid
signal confidence in over 80% of the overall solutions to Bluetooth in annual volume by manufacturers, trusting
Bluetooth quality and audio market. Notably, is underway in remote the end of 2018 and is Bluetooth to provide
reliability. By 2022, earbuds are starting to controls. Bluetooth forecasted to grow 3x medical-grade audio
80% of all speakers assert their dominance is now the dominant by the end of 2022. quality to the hearing-
will include Bluetooth in the market. wireless technology impaired community.
technology. within game
controllers, with
TV remotes on a
similar trajectory.
automotive
b lue to ot h .co m | 27
phone audio automotive device building industry city home
automotive
market numbers
86
Bluetooth Device Shipments
% numbers in millions
107
shipped worldwide in 2018 will annual shipments
102
97
come standard with Bluetooth
91
85
4.5x
73
63
growth in annual volume of
under-the-hood Bluetooth
49
devices shipped by 2022 36
85
29
of Bluetooth automotive
device shipments will be in-car 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
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phone audio automotive device building industry city home
automotive
market insights
Bluetooth is now Wearables are becoming Smartphones are Bluetooth is being adopted
standard equipment in part of the automotive becoming the new key for under-the-hood
most new cars market fob and more solutions
In 2018, 86% of all new Bluetooth is powering in-vehicle The key fob migrating into the Bluetooth wireless sensor
vehicles will include Bluetooth wearables that monitor blood smartphone will enable a wider systems simplify maintenance
connectivity. pressure, heart rate, and activity variety of convenience features, in both commercial fleets
In-car infotainment systems will levels, triggering driver alerts including proximity detection and consumer vehicles by
account for 85% of Bluetooth when detecting signs of sleep for automatic locking and transferring diagnostic
automotive device shipments or fatigue. unlocking, custom seat information and alerts to service
in 2018. In-vehicle wearables will show positioning, and the transfer of management solutions.
strong growth in volume over virtual keys to additional drivers. The volume of under-the-hood
the forecast period. devices shipped each year is
forecasted to grow 4.5x by 2022.
connected device
b lue to ot h .co m | 30
phone audio automotive device building industry city home
connected device
market numbers
4x
Bluetooth Device Shipments
numbers
numbers in
in millions
billions
670
597
362 million
102m
517
annual shipments
434
Bluetooth enterprise wearables
362
forecasted to ship in 2022
300
244
80m
196
131
77
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phone audio automotive device building industry city home
connected device
market insights
Consumer wearables Medical grade devices are Enterprise wearables gain Consumer robotics are
are getting more on a steady climb significant traction emerging in the home
sophisticated
Demand for healthcare New enterprise use cases Home helpers that vacuum,
A new breed of fitness devices providers to better are driving a rapid growth in clean gutters, and even mow
that offer more specialized, administer medication, wearables in the workforce, the lawn are here to stay.
multi-purpose functionality diagnose injuries, and receive including smart glasses and Bluetooth consumer robots are
have emerged and will critical updates on their wearable scanners. With 102 forecasted to grow from 29M
continue to experience patients’ conditions is driving million Bluetooth enterprise shipments annually in 2017 to just
consistent growth. a 28% CAGR in Bluetooth wearables forecasted to ship shy of 80M in 2022.
The smartwatch market has also healthcare wearables over the in 2022, enterprise wearables
become more diverse and next 5 years. represent one of the fastest
will maintain its steady growing segments in the
growth trajectory. connected device market.
smart building
b lue to ot h .co m | 33
phone audio automotive device building industry city home
smart building
market numbers
10x
360 million
annual shipments
360
of Bluetooth location services
devices by 2022
309
75
239
%
165
of top 20 retailers
have deployed
location services*
95
58
16
smart building
market insights
Location services gain Connected lighting emerges as a Retail and healthcare continue to
significant traction key use case in automation be early proving grounds for smart
building technologies
Bluetooth technology is powering building- The ability to intelligently control lighting
wide networks of beacons that enable has a strong business case on its own. In Retailers are among the early adopters to
indoor positioning and location services, addition, a wireless lighting solution can leverage Bluetooth to enable personalized
including point-of-interest information, indoor also function as a platform to further enable promotions and way-finding services that
navigation, and asset tracking. point-of-interest solutions, indoor connect shoppers to shelves, increase sales,
Space utilization is also gaining momentum, navigation, asset tracking, and space and reduce operating costs.
with smart offices using Bluetooth to enable utilization in the smart building. In order to combat cost pressures, provide
sensor-based occupancy mapping. The use of lighting as a platform to enable better patient care, and improve operational
the creation of control, monitoring, and efficiencies, healthcare facilities are
automation systems will continue to increase adopting Bluetooth technology to monitor
over the forecast period. patients, track assets, and advance
emergency services. 100 million Bluetooth
smart healthcare devices are forecasted to
ship per year by 2022.
smart industry
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phone audio automotive device building industry city home
smart industry
market numbers
253 million
7x
increase in annual shipments of
annual shipments
253
Bluetooth smart industry devices
from 2017-2022
215
12x
162
108
increase in annual volume of
asset tracking and management
solutions by 2022
62
15
36
b lue to ot h .co m | 37
phone audio automotive device building industry city home
smart industry
market insights
Significant growth expected in Smartphones and tablets are Asset management provides
industrial wireless sensor networks replacing the machine UI transformational improvement to
manufacturing
In a drive to improve production efficiencies, Bluetooth smartphones and tablets are
leading manufacturers are looking to emerging as central control devices within Automated asset tracking and monitoring
dramatically increase their deployment factories and industrial settings, providing enables manufacturers to better determine
of sensor networks across the factory a better, safer interface for monitoring and location, availability, and condition of
floor. These large-scale sensor networks controlling industrial machinery. equipment as well as track the overall output
are capable of lowering overall machine across the supply chain.
downtime and increasing flexibility in the Industrial deployments of Bluetooth asset
manufacturing line. tracking and management solutions will
continue to increase, allowing factories to
achieve new levels of operational efficiency.
smart city
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phone audio automotive device building industry city home
smart city
market numbers
5x
Bluetooth Device Shipments
numbers in millions
84
192
%
164
of global airports will be using
127
location services by 2019*
92
93 % 40
59
13
smart city
market insights
Cities are adopting location services New technologies are improving Bikes help power the
the transportation experience sharing economy
Location services driven by Bluetooth within city limits
beacons are on a rapid growth trajectory Bluetooth is helping bring one of the main
across all smart city segments. These Government officials and city managers drivers of the sharing economy to life.
smart city services are helping create rich, are deploying Bluetooth smart city Stationless bike sharing first caught the
personalized experiences for concert goers, solutions to improve transportation public’s attention in 2016. In 2017, steady
museum lovers, sports fans, travelers, services, including smart parking lots and rollouts worldwide accelerated its growth,
and tourists. meters as well as enhanced bus services. with notable expansion in APAC.
smart home
b lue to ot h .co m | 42
phone audio automotive device building industry city home
smart home
market numbers
650m
Bluetooth Device Shipments
numbers in millions
505
6x
442
350
243
growth in annual shipments of
84
Bluetooth home automation
152
591
devices by 2022
546
535
510
25
495
446
8
54
336
2
274
%
210
compound annual growth rate of 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
b lue to ot h .co m | 43
phone audio automotive device building industry city home
smart home
market insights
Bluetooth remains an integral component of the Home automation is now poised to scale
connected home
Two forces will continue to push smart home solutions forward.
From TVs to toys to tools, more and more everyday household items 2018 has already seen the launch of the first Bluetooth full-home
are using Bluetooth technology to wirelessly connect. automation systems. Bluetooth mesh will continue to provide a reliable
Steady growth in connected home devices is predicted, with wireless connectivity platform that enables automatic control of lights,
connected home entertainment devices continuing thermostats, smoke detectors, cameras, door bells, locks, and more.
to account for over half the volume. Among those, lighting is expected to be a leading use case with a 54%
CAGR predicted over the next five years.
Meanwhile, the smart speaker has emerged as a potential central
control unit for the smart home. Smart speaker volume is forecasted to
grow 3x by the end of 2022.
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