AUSTIN, TEXAS, and OYSTER BAY, NY--(Marketwired - Apr 21, 2015) - Wi-Fi Alliance^® and ABI Research announced today that the use of dual-band Wi-Fi^® devices has surpassed that of single-band 2.4 GHz devices only. Widespread adoption of Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ ac in smartphones, tablets, and consumer electronics has pushed 5 GHz into the spotlight as a critical frequency band for Wi-Fi operation, today and into the future.

Wi-Fi CERTIFIED ac is the latest generation of Wi-Fi, offering users expanded bandwidth and up to gigabit per second data rates, with dual-band usage doubling overall network capacity. Wi-Fi CERTIFIED ac has prompted the expansion of 5 GHz Wi-Fi usage beyond the enterprise, as consumers adopt advanced smartphones and look to dual-band networking to improve home network capacity and performance to support multimedia usages.

"The advancements in 5 GHz Wi-Fi technology have fueled the growth in the number and variety of devices certified by Wi-Fi Alliance members," said Edgar Figueroa, president and CEO of Wi-Fi Alliance. "The widespread use of 5 GHz Wi-Fi products continues to increase the value of Wi-Fi, with better performance and capacity." 

According to a new report by ABI Research, 68 percent of all Wi-Fi devices shipped in 2015 will use the 5 GHz band. "The growth of Wi-Fi devices has been consistent over a number of years and has shown an ever-expanding presence in 5 GHz," said research director Phil Solis, ABI Research. "More than half of all Wi-Fi devices last year used 5 GHz, and that will grow to close to 100 percent saturation in the next five years."

Download the free ABI report 5 GHz Wi-Fi is Now Mainstream and Wi-Fi Alliance infographic. Please visit www.wi-fi.org for more information on Wi-Fi CERTIFIED ac and other Wi-Fi Alliance technologies and certification programs.

About Wi-Fi Alliance^®
www.wi-fi.org
Wi-Fi Alliance^® is a global non-profit industry association -- our members are the worldwide network of companies that brings you Wi-Fi^®. The members of our collaboration forum come from across the Wi-Fi ecosystem and share a common vision of connecting everyone and everything, everywhere. Since 2000, the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED^™ seal of approval designates products with proven interoperability, industry-standard security protections, and the latest technology. Wi-Fi Alliance has certified more than 25,000 products, delivering the best user experience and encouraging the expanded use of Wi-Fi products and services in new and established markets. Today, billions of Wi-Fi products carry a significant portion of the world's data traffic in an ever-expanding variety of applications.

About ABI Research
ABI Research provides in-depth analysis and quantitative forecasting of trends in global connectivity and other emerging technologies. From offices in North America, Europe and Asia, ABI Research's worldwide team of experts advises thousands of decision makers through 70+ research and advisory services. Est. 1990. For more information visit www.abiresearch.com, or call +1.516.624.2500.