Delays in Standardization Not Expected to Stall 802.11n Growth
Market Expected to Reach Over 28 Million Units Shipped by 2012 and Eventually Be Dominated by Mobile Device Use
| Source: NSR
CAMBRIDGE, MA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- February 6, 2007 -- NSR today released its newest market analysis
and forecast report: "802.11n: WiFi Evolution or Stalled Standard." The
report provides an in-depth analysis of demand trends for 802.11n form
factors, WLAN equipment and access point development in six regions of the
globe.
After a long-standing debate and many delays, the IEEE 802.11n Working
Group has given its approval in January 2007 to the next draft version.
"Full ratification is expected to take place a year later in January 2008,
and many consider version 2.0 to eventually look very much if not exactly
like the ratified standard. As such, the 'n' standard for all practical
purposes could be considered already here and no longer stalled such that
the evolution of 802.11n is now upon us," states Jose Del Rosario, Senior
Analyst of NSR and author of the report.
NSR predicts a healthy global market for 802.11n chipsets and equipment.
Unit shipments for pre-certified products are expected to reach close to
300,000 at the end of 2007. However, robust growth is expected once
ratification of the "n" standard is achieved in early-2008, and by 2012,
unit shipments are expected to reach over 28 million. In terms of revenues,
from a base of $22.4 million in 2007 for pre-certified products, the market
is forecasted to reach nearly $670 million for certified equipment sales by
end-2012, for cumulative revenues of over $1.9 billion within a six-year
timeframe.
The report indicates that 802.11 WiFi solutions have achieved critical mass
in a relatively short period of time. Its resounding success in terms of
equipment sales and usage has led to numerous incarnations aimed at
improving throughput and reach for both consumer and enterprise use, as
well as the emerging government sector. With the 802.11n standard, WiFi
will be positioned to reach even higher throughput levels and wider reach,
making WiFi even more integrated into the long-term telecom landscape.
802.11n form factors that go beyond laptop PCs are expected to move to
cellular phones, TV sets, gaming units, mobile entertainment units, and
home networking equipment among others. "NSR sees the WiFi-enabled
cellular phone as the long term 'sweet spot' of demand for 802.11n. For
instance, the newly unveiled iPhone by Apple has an 802.11g chip, and over
time, this and other cellular phones that compete with the iPhone will
likely embed 'n' chips as well. Not if but when this happens, along with
price drops of these next-generation phones, 802.11n will see tremendous
market uptake," adds Del Rosario.
"802.11n: WiFi Evolution or Stalled Standard" is a multi-client report now
available from NSR. For additional information on this report, including a
full table of contents, list of exhibits and executive summary, please
visit www.nsr.com or call NSR at 617-576-5771.
NSR is an international market research and consulting firm specializing in
satellite and wireless technology and applications. NSR's primary areas of
expertise include emerging technology, IP applications, and broadcast
services. With extensive expertise in all regions and a number of
broadband sectors, NSR is a leading provider of in-depth market insight and
analyses.