Wireless LAN gear tops $1 billion per quarter

MASSACHUSETTS, USA: Coming on the heels of a 16 per cent jump the previous quarter, WLAN equipment revenue grew another six per cent quarter-over-quarter, passing the $1-billion mark for the first time, finds market research firm Infonetics Research.

Global demand for WLAN gear is well balanced, with three major regions (North America, EMEA, and Asia Pacific) seeing ~20 per cent year-over-year revenue growth in 3Q12. Interactive access point revenue grew strongly in 3Q12, as businesses move to centrally managed WLAN architectures.

Matthias Machowinski, directing analyst, enterprise networks and video, Infonetics Research, says: "The usual demand drivers-wireless devices, BYOD, mobility-were in play, but there was also an acceleration of carrier WiFi deployments, with sales of outdoor access points doubling over the past year."

The transition to 802.11n is coming to an end, with 84 per cent of access points shipments now based on the standard; next-generation 802.11ac products will start shipping in the summer of 2013.

"Wireless LAN is a real bright spot in the networking industry, achieving record sales despite ongoing economic uncertainty," Machowinski adds.

In 3Q12, Cisco added to its strong 2Q12 performance, growing another two per cent sequentially to hold on to 1st place for WLAN equipment; Ruckus grew 78 per cent year-over-year and moved into the #4 spot.

Vocera stayed in the lead for WiFi phone market share in 3Q12, thanks to its success in the health care market.