- The 802.11ac access point penetration has nearly doubled every quarter and is starting to cannibalize 802.11n, according to Infonetics recently published Wireless LAN Equipment and WiFi Phones 2nd quarter 2014 (2Q14) report. The market research firm says that the wireless LAN (WLAN) equipment sales totaled $1.2 billion in 2Q14, up 13% sequentially, covering the enterprise access points, wireless LAN (WLAN) controllers, and WiFi phones.
Nevertheless, the Wi-Fi controller and WiFi phone segments recorded slightly negative growth for the 2nd quater. The controller revenue is down 5% in 2Q14 compared to the same quarter a year ago, and the WiFi phone revenue declined 1% quarter-over-quarter and 15% year-over-year.
"Despite access point shipments reaching record levels, revenue growth in the wireless LAN market has been relatively weak so far this year due to temporary declines in service provider and K–12 spending, 802.11ac failing to lift average selling prices, and the rise of lower-cost solutions, including controller-less approaches. That said, we expect the wireless LAN equipment market to accelerate in 2015 as spending by service providers and education comes back, 802.11ac reaches critical mass, and Wave 2 products enter the market."
- Matthias Machowinski, directing analyst for enterprise networks and video at Infonetics Research
