ABI Research is bullish on the prospects of 802.11n WiFi connectivity, arguing that in 2014 at least 87% of WiFi-capable smartphones will ship with support for this latest version of the 802.11 protocols. However, the research company added that users of these phones shouldn’t expect laptop-like performance, at least not initially.
According to ABI’s Michael Morgan, 802.11n is arriving in the handset just at the right time. “We had to wait for consumers to switch over to 802.11n access points, and we’re just now reaching that tipping point. Something like 50% of the Wi-Fi access points on offer are now 11n. Consumers are becoming aware of what it can do,” he added.
Morgan also warned that the first 802.11n-enabled handsets will not offer MIMO or some of 11n’s more advanced enhancements. The full power of the protocol won’t be available in most handsets until 2014 or later.
The prospects of the growth are clear – it costs manufacturers virtually no more to include 802.11n in handsets alongside the current “b” and “g” protocols…
More information about ABI Research’s “Wi-Fi Handsets – Moving to 802.11n” is available from their website.