Wi-Fi access points — based on 802.11ac — represent 39 percent of total Wi-Fi access points shipped in 2015, according to ABI Research.
The adoption of Wi-Fi access points based on 802.11ac will accelerate in 2016 as more 802.11ac Wave 2 products enter the market, along with the introduction of tri-band access points.
Wave 2 access points will drive 802.11ac shipments, with those shipments representing nearly 65 percent of total Wi-Fi access points in 2016.
The telecom research report said tri-band access points are likely to hit the market in the first half of 2016. Tri-band Wi-Fi products use 802.11n, 802.11ac, and 802.11ad in the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 60 GHz bands, respectively, and are backward compatible to the older protocols within each band.
“TP-Link’s Talon AD product line will kick-start the market for tri-band access points with WiGig (802.11 ad). The access points are likely to take an additional one to two years’ time before they gain significant market share in the overall Wi-Fi CPE market,” said Sam Rosen, managing director at ABI Research.
Wi-Fi access point shipments will surpass 204 million units in consumer applications and 19.3 million units in enterprise in 2020, with the majority of those shipments supporting 802.11ac.
