802.11n WLAN access point shipments increased by nearly 44% in 2009, compared to previous year, according to market data by ABI research.
Over 400,000 thousand enterprise access points were shipped in the first three quarters of 2009. The firm estimates enterprise 802.11n access point shipments to reach half a million by the end of last year.
In the SOHO and consumer market, a total of 7.7 million 802.11n Wi-Fi access points were shipped in the first three quarters of 2009, compared to 7.8 million shipped during all of 2008. In first three quarters of 2009, 802.11n represented more than 19% of all WLAN access point shipments.
Serene Fong, industry analyst at ABI Research, said: “802.11n WLAN access point shipments into SOHO and consumer markets are expected to reach 32.2 million in 2010.”
The report showed that Cisco was the top vendor with a market share of 63% in 802.11n enterprise access points while Aruba stands second with a 25% share. Enterprise 802.11n access point shipments are expected to total 6.3 million in 2012.
Enterprise WLAN market’s growth for the first three quarters of 2009 was driven by the sales of 802.11n products. 78,000 enterprise controllers were shipped in which Cisco claims 66%. The firm expects enterprise controller shipments to reach 140,000 in 2010.
Khin Sandi Lynn research associate, said: “Vendors are trying to gain market share by providing products which offer more reliable coverage and consistent performance as well as lower prices. For example, Aruba has launched an 802.11n access point priced of the same as their 802.11g model. Price competition will attract more organisations that have not yet moved to 802.11n.”
