Tonse Telecom and the Wi-Fi Alliance have released a new 60-page report entitled “The Future for Wi-Fi in India: Opportunities and Challenges.”

 

Outlining the emerging WiFi ecosystem in India, the report profiles innovative companies and institutions that are leveraging the technology. According to the report

WiFi (News - Alert) will experience wide adoption already seen in other markets as laptop adoption and broadband penetration increase.

 

The Wi-Fi Alliance commissioned the study as part of industry development efforts which include outreach visits to members and potential members, government organizations, and investors, as well as the launch in August 2006 of a pre-certification lab in partnership with Wipro Technologies in Bangalore.

 

Wi-Fi Alliance managing director Frank Hanzlik pointed out in a statement that India is emerging as a very important and exciting market for their members, both in-country and worldwide.

 

“This paper details the wide range of opportunities there, from urban and rural broadband deployments, to product development, to services and software,” he added.

 

The key findings in the paper include:

 

*The WLAN network gear sector will exceed $275 Million by 2011-12 (not including embedded chips), up from the current $23.1 Million with the growth in the broadband wireless access.

 

*By2012, the combined Wi-Fi market (described as consisting of WLAN networking

gear, systems integration, professional services and not including embedded devices and laptops) is expected to exceed $744 million (CAGR of 61.4%).

 

*Previously unconnected rural and urban areas can now have broadband connectivity thanks to hybrid WiFi and WiMAX deployments.

 

* Dual-mode WiFi / cellular handsets are expected to bring higher throughput internet connectivity to numerous Indian citizens who do not own computers.

 

According to Sridhar T. Pai, chief executive of Tonse Telecom there is tremendous enthusiasm in India for Wi-Fi technology. Pai said in a statement to the press that their research found that a strong ecosystem is forming and triggering innovation that will benefit individuals and businesses globally.

 

 

Hanzlik believes the Wi-Fi Alliance programs, including interoperability and security testing, will be key enablers of WiFi adoption in India, much as they have been in other markets worldwide.

 

“WiFi certification will help ensure users have the very best experience with WiFi technology at home, at work, and on the road,” he concluded.

 

The Wi-Fi Alliance is a global, non-profit industry association of more than 300 member companies devoted to promoting the growth of wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs).

 

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