Coming 802.11ac, WiFi with Gigabit speed

SCOTTSDALE, USA: In-Stat forecasts that the impact of 802.11ac, the new Wi-Fi technology standard developed to provide Gigabit speeds, will be equally as fast, as it will push shipments of 802.11ac-enabled devices from zero in 2011 to nearly 1 billion by 2015.

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“The goal of 802.11ac is to provide data speeds much faster than 802.11n, with speeds of around 1Gbps,” says Frank Dickson, vice president, Research, In-Stat. "The timing for 802.11ac approval is to have a draft standard created by 2011 and have the first 802.11ac products out by the end of 2012. The technology behind 802.11ac has not been finalized.  However, it will likely involve bonding four or even eight channels together and some tweaks to the modulation scheme.”

The analyst firm says that mobile devices with Wi-Fi will still dominate shipments. In 2015, shipments of mobile phones with embedded Wi-Fi are projected to approach 800 million.

In-Stat projects that 100 percent of mobile hotspot shipments will be 802.11ac-enabled, By 2015.

E-readers Wi-Fi attach rates will increase from three percent in 2009 to 90 percent by 2015. Moreover, in 2012, Wi-Fi automotive shipments will reach nearly 20 million, adds In-Stat.