[June 14, 2013]

Mobile Operators Reveal Plans to Monetize WiFi

Market research firm Infonetics Research released excerpts from its latest Carrier WiFi Offload and Hotspot Strategies and Vendor Leadership: Global Service Provider Survey, which explores the drivers, strategies, models and technology choices that are shaping operators' WiFi (News - Alert) deployments.

ANALYST NOTE

"Best-effort WiFi is no longer good enough; mobile operators need carrier-class sophistication. Next-gen carrier WiFi has evolved to enable operators to deliver the same quality of experience as mobile networks through closer integration with the mobile RAN," notes Richard Webb, directing analyst for microwave and carrier WiFi at Infonetics Research.

"Hotspot 2.0 will go a long way to building the bridge between the technologies from a technical standpoint, but operators are still figuring out how to position WiFi within their broadband offerings and which service models will generate the most revenue," Webb continues. "Offload of data traffic is not enough; WiFi's got to pay for itself."

CARRIER WIFI SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS

• In a 3-way tie, revenue generation, enhanced throughput and use of unlicensed spectrum are the top deployment drivers for carrier WiFi
• The fastest-growing monetization models for WiFi services are tiered/premium hotspots, managed hotspots and WiFi roaming
• Hotels, sports and entertainment venues, airports, train stations and retail malls will see significant growth as carrier WiFi deployment locations by 2014
• Survey respondents intend to rapidly adopt the 802.11ac standard once it becomes commercially available, anticipating that 30% of their new WiFi access points will be based on 802.11ac by the end of 2014
• Cisco (News - Alert) is the most widely deployed WiFi equipment vendor among respondent carriers, while Ruckus Wireless leads the list of vendors under evaluation for future purchases

ABOUT THE WIFI SURVEY

For its 39-page WiFi offload and hotspot survey, Infonetics (News - Alert) interviewed mobile, incumbent, competitive and cable operators in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa, North America and Latin America that operate carrier WiFi networks or plan to do so by year-end. The report provides insights into service provider WiFi offload deployment drivers and plans, integration challenges, locations, architectures, standards, equipment features, service strategies and opinions of WiFi equipment vendors. Vendors named in the survey include Alcatel-Lucent, Aruba Networks, Cisco, Edgewater Wireless, Ericsson, Huawei, Nokia (News - Alert) Siemens Networks, Ruckus Wireless and others. To buy the report, contact: http://www.infonetics.com/contact.asp.

INFONETICS WEBINARS

Visit https://www.infonetics.com/infonetics-events to learn more or register for Infonetics events.

• SDNs and NFV: Why Operators Are Investing Now (June 26: Learn more / register)
• Improving Network Economics with IP over OTN (June 27: Learn more / register)
• Leveraging Hotspot 2.0 for Carrier Wi-Fi Networks (View on demand)
• Fiber in the Air: An Alternative for Next-Gen Backhaul (View on demand)
• Small Cells Reality Check (Available for sponsorship)

RELATED RESEARCH

• Latest Infonetics Small Cells and Carrier WiFi research brief: http://bit.ly/18sU0Xj
• Carrier WiFi market is red hot
• Small cell market forecast to hit $2.7 billion by 2017
• Femtocells up 66% in 4Q12; big 2013 expected as 4G femtos ramp
• Microwave equipment market forecast to hit $5.2 billion in 2017; Alcatel-Lucent gains in Q4
• Small cell operators face myriad operational and financial challenges

RECENT / UPCOMING MARKET FORECASTS AND SURVEYS

Download Infonetics' market research brochure, publication calendar, events brochure, report highlights, tables of contents, and more at http://www.infonetics.com/login.

• Femtocell Equipment - 1Q13 Edition
• 3G and 4G Mobile Broadband Devices and Subscribers - 1Q13 Edition
• Small Cell Mobile Backhaul Equipment
• Microwave Strategies and Vendor Leadership: Global Service Provider Survey

TO BUY REPORTS, CONTACT:

N. America (West), Asia, Latin America: Larry Howard, [email protected], +1 408-583-3335

N. America (East), Texas, Midwest: Scott Coyne, [email protected], +1 408-583-3395

Europe, Middle East, Africa: George Stojsavljevic, [email protected], +44 755-488-1623

Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan: http://www.infonetics.com/contact.asp

ABOUT INFONETICS

Infonetics Research (News - Alert) (www.infonetics.com) is an international market research and consulting firm serving the communications industry since 1990. A leader in defining and tracking emerging and established technologies in all world regions, Infonetics helps clients plan, strategize, and compete effectively. View Infonetics' About Us slides at http://bit.ly/QUrbrV.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20130614005133/en/

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