Innovations in connectivity and the rise of Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 drive the sector’s growth at an annual rate of 15.4%.
The global Wi-Fi market is expected to reach a value of $45.12 billion by 2029, up from $22.06 billion in 2024, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.4%, according to the latest report from MarketsandMarkets™. This growth is driven by the increasing demand for high-speed connectivity, the expansion of remote work, online learning, and the digitization of sectors such as education, healthcare, and commerce.
Key Trends Driving the Wi-Fi Market
The rise in the number of connected devices and the need for more efficient infrastructures have accelerated the evolution of Wi-Fi technology. Among the main trends are:
- Expansion of Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7: These new generations improve speed, latency, and capacity of connections in dense environments, enhancing access in offices, smart homes, and connected cities.
- Increased use outdoors: The growth of public Wi-Fi in parks, university campuses, and urban settings will drive the adoption of weather-resistant access points.
- Enhanced security with WPA3: The new generation of Wi-Fi networks incorporates advanced security protocols to protect user data.
- Wi-Fi and 5G as allies: Combining Wi-Fi networks with 5G connectivity will allow for the expansion of IoT solutions, telemedicine, and connected vehicles.
Wi-Fi 6 Will Lead the Industry Transformation
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) will be the dominant standard in the coming years, thanks to significant improvements in speed, efficiency, and connection capacity in dense environments. This technology offers key advantages, such as:
- Higher speeds and lower latency, ideal for streaming, gaming, video conferencing, and business applications.
- Improved energy efficiency with Target Wake Time (TWT), optimizing battery consumption in IoT devices.
- Use in high-density environments, allowing multiple devices to connect without performance loss.
Additionally, Wi-Fi 6E expands these capabilities by integrating the 6 GHz spectrum, while Wi-Fi 7 promises to further revolutionize connectivity with speeds exceeding 30 Gbps.
Outdoor Wi-Fi and Smart Cities
The outdoor Wi-Fi market is expected to be one of the fastest-growing segments, driven by the expansion of smart urban infrastructures and free public networks. Advanced solutions in this area include:
- Mesh networks and long-range access points, essential for ensuring coverage at mass events and in public transport.
- Use in public safety and traffic management, facilitating connectivity in surveillance cameras, sensors, and smart traffic lights.
- Greater integration with IoT, enabling the connection of devices for waste management, smart public lighting, and digital municipal services.
Asia-Pacific Will Lead Wi-Fi Market Growth
According to the report, the Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to experience the most significant growth in the Wi-Fi sector, driven by:
- Government initiatives to expand connectivity in rural and urban areas.
- Growth in e-commerce and business digitization, which require more robust network infrastructures.
- Investments in public Wi-Fi and smart cities, with projects in countries like China, Japan, and Australia.
Examples of this trend include the Connected Tokyo project, which plans to install Wi-Fi networks in 1,300 locations by 2025, and connectivity expansion in rural areas of Australia with $20 million in funding.
Sector Challenges and Opportunities
Despite strong growth, the sector faces challenges such as network security, spectrum saturation, and the need to upgrade infrastructures to support new technologies. However, business opportunities are vast, with an increase in demand for managed network solutions, advanced analytics, and Wi-Fi optimization services.
Major companies in the sector, including Cisco, HPE, Huawei, Broadcom, and Juniper Networks, are investing in innovations to enhance the security and efficiency of Wi-Fi networks, solidifying their position in a market that will continue to evolve with global digitization.
via: PRnewswire