In February of this year, ABI Research found that WiFi-enabled handset shipments were set to double between 2008 and 2010. Now with the latter date fast approaching, ABI’s analysts have confirmed that a similar pattern will hold true (or even accelerate) for the period 2009-2011. In that sense, this year is on track to see 144 million handsets shipped, with forecasts for 2011 at just over 300 million.
The important factor was the mobile operators’ changing attitude towards WiFi. At first, many feared that WiFi would take traffic off their networks, whereas now they’re starting to realize that it may instead mean an increase in available network capacity.
T-Mobile USA is a great example — using their “Hotspot at Home” access points, they were able to deliver an improved in-home service.
Industry analyst Michael Morgan argues that WiFi has become a must-have item much as Bluetooth did earlier. “But just having WiFi in the handset isn’t enough. You have to have a reason for customers to use it. Until now it has been predominantly for data use, with voice struggling to find its niche,” he added.
More information about ABI’s report titled “Wi-Fi Capable Handsets” is available from their website.