Wi-Fi
technology is being rapidly implemented in a range of devices like smartphones,
tablets, phablets and other consumer electronics. The rise in adoption of
mobile equipments and increased use of Wi-Fi over these electronic devices has
resulted in sharp rise in wireless data traffic. This makes service providers
struggle for increased network demand and upgraded network capacity to ensure
smooth wireless connectivity. A conventional cellular network uses macro cells
that make it an inadequate solution for the endless requirements of Wi-Fi and
the rising influx of mobile broadband data traffic. Thus, wireless service
providers are moving traffic away from their cellular networks to carrier Wi-Fi
which uses small cell technology and addresses the capacity and congestion
needs of today’s wireless subscribers.
Carrier Wi-Fi can be applied in
locations like community Wi-Fi implementations and public hotspot deployments
such as cafes, campuses and universities. Security on open networks has always been of a prime concern to
end-users as well as service providers all over the globe. Unprotected Wi-Fi
networks, particularly in public places, are most certainly a threat. Carrier
Wi-Fi offers carrier grade security meaning the Wi-Fi network is hardened to
protect it from common security threats such as virus, spam spoofing and
spyware among others. This is compelling the demand of carrier Wi-Fi which in
turn is motivating the growth of the carrier Wi-Fi market. Thus, the global
carrier Wi-Fi market is expected to grow significantly during the forecast
period 2014 – 2022.
Currently, service providers are considering Wi-Fi as a
strategically important offering that can enhance their reputation and augment
the sales. Besides speed and convenience, customer experience is a key driver
in adoption of Wi-Fi by end-users. Carrier Wi-Fi helps in improvement in
quality of service, revenue generation and ease of use. This is creating a
revolution in the market and is now being embraced by an ever growing number of
carriers.
Currently,
carrier-grade Wi-Fi experts are working to set requirement techniques that
enable intelligent frequency band selection based on traffic congestion levels
and RF power transmission. They are also working on Self-organizing network
(SON) practices which facilitate in managing large-scale Wi-Fi deployments with
multiple access points. Furthermore, 2014 marked the advent of Hotspot 2.0, a
Wireless Broadband Alliance standard which facilitates phones to shift
seamlessly between cellular and Wi-Fi networks. This technology is a boon for
the mushrooming Carrier Wi-Fi market. Such technological innovations are
expected to get introduced in near future which will release new business
avenues for this market.
Geographically, the market is expected to grow tremendously in
the U.S. due to increased data traffic and fluctuating loads of networks. The
mobile subscriptions in India and China are growing by leaps and bounds. With
the growing penetration of smartphones, the consumption of mobile traffic is
bound to increase in these regions making Asia Pacific an emerging market for
Carrier Wi-Fi, paving way for new opportunities to telecom operators. The key
players of the market include Cisco Systems Inc., Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd
and Ruckus Wireless, Alcatel-Lucent Inc., ADTRAN Inc., Airvana Inc., Aruba
Networks Inc and BelAir Networks Inc.
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