With the support of key advancements such as Wi-Fi 7, the collaboration with private 5G networks, and the improved utilization of the 6GHz spectrum, ABI Research predicts a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.7% for enterprise WLAN infrastructure revenue between 2022 and 2028. The CAGR for WLAN AP shipments during the same period is projected to be 9.4%.
The research states that Wi-Fi 7 will contribute to providing the low-latency and in-time deterministic network required for critical mission industrial automation applications and emerging real-time technologies like AR/VR. Similarly, the integration of WLAN and 5G in private networks allows for the deployment of these technologies in environments where wireless services were previously unavailable, thereby expanding the potential market for both technologies.
According to a report by the Electronics Times, all major vendors experienced strong growth in WLAN shipments and revenue in 2022. Cisco achieved double-digit growth driven by demand for Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E products, while HPE Aruba Networks achieved record-breaking growth in WLAN shipments, bolstering its smart edge division. Extreme Networks gained support through multiple large-scale deployments, and ALE's (Alcatel-Lucent) Stellar AP product line achieved growth of over 100% due to Wi-Fi 6 demand and the transition to hybrid work.
Despite the potential disruption from new market developments amid the recent surge in WLAN shipments, vendor market shares remain relatively stable. The emergence of value-added services and advancements in WLAN network management will also reshape the market. For example, generative artificial intelligence will simplify network administration and insight acquisition for administrators.
At the same time, closer integration with third-party platforms will enable expanded real-time network data exploration, resulting in more targeted and actionable network analysis and insights.
