AUSTIN, TX – February 5, 2007 – The Wi-Fi Alliance, in partnership with Tonse Telecom, has released a new 60-page report entitled “The Future for Wi-Fi in India: Opportunities and Challenges.” The report outlines the emerging Wi-Fi ecosystem in India, profiles innovative companies and institutions that are leveraging the technology, and predicts that as laptop adoption and broadband penetration increase, Wi-Fi will experience wide adoption already seen in other markets.
The study was commissioned by the Wi-Fi Alliance as part of industry development efforts which include outreach visits to members and potential members, government organizations, and investors, as well as the launch in August 2006 of a pre-certification lab in partnership with Wipro Technologies in Bangalore.
“India is emerging as a very important and exciting market for our members, both in-country and worldwide,” said Wi-Fi Alliance managing director Frank Hanzlik. “This paper details the wide range of opportunities there, from urban and rural broadband deployments, to product development, to services and software.”
Among the key findings in the paper:
• As broadband wireless access grows, the WLAN network gear sector will exceed $275 Million by 2011-12 (not including embedded chips), up from the current $23.1 Million.
• The combined Wi-Fi market (described as consisting of WLAN networking gear, systems integration, professional services and not including embedded devices and laptops) is expected to exceed $744 million by 2012 (CAGR of 61.4%).
• Hybrid Wi-Fi and WiMAX deployments are bringing broadband connectivity to previously unconnected rural and urban areas alike
• Dual-mode Wi-Fi / cellular handsets show promise for bringing higher-throughput internet connectivity to numerous Indian citizens who do not own computers
“From government, to industry, to academia, there is tremendous enthusiasm in India for Wi-Fi technology,” said Sridhar T. Pai, Chief Executive of Tonse Telecom. “Our research found that a strong ecosystem is forming and triggering innovation that will benefit individuals and businesses globally.”
“Wi-Fi Alliance programs, including interoperability and security testing, will be key enablers of Wi-Fi adoption in India, much as they have been in other markets worldwide,” said Frank Hanzlik. “Wi-Fi certification will help ensure users have the very best experience with Wi-Fi technology at home, at work, and on the road.”
The paper is available for free download at the Wi-Fi Alliance web site.
About the Wi-Fi Alliance
The Wi-Fi Alliance is a global, non-profit industry association of more than 300 member companies devoted to promoting the growth of wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs). With the aim of enhancing the user experience for mobile wireless devices, the Wi-Fi Alliance’s testing and certification programs ensure the interoperability of WLAN products based on the IEEE 802.11 specification. Since the introduction of the Wi-Fi Alliance’s certification program in March 2000, more than 3,200 products have been designated as Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™, encouraging the expanded use of Wi-Fi products and services across the consumer and enterprise markets.
Media contact:
Edelman for Wi-Fi Alliance: Michael Diamond, michael.diamond@edelman.com, +1-650-429-2772.