Worldwide Enterprise WLAN Market Sees Stronger Growth in Q2 2017 as Wireless Digital Transformation Continues
September 18, 2017 | IDCEstimated reading time: 4 minutes
The combined consumer and enterprise worldwide wireless local area network (WLAN) market segments grew 2.5% year over year in the second quarter of 2017 (2Q17), finishing at $2.37 billion. According to results published in the International Data Corporation (IDC) W orldwide Quarterly WLAN Tracker, the enterprise segment grew 9.4% year over year in 2Q17 to reach $1.48 billion. In the enterprise segment, annualized growth in 2Q17 was comparable to that of 2Q16, when year-over-year growth also registered at 9.4%.
IDC believes that a steady stream of upgrades to the 802.11ac standard as part of the digital transformation (DX) of the enterprise contributed heavily to the 2Q17 growth. The 802.11ac standard now accounts for 84.5% of dependent access point unit shipments and 92.1% of dependent access point revenues, up from 70.9% and 84.7% in 1Q17. This significant sequential jump points to a continued trend of 802.11n obsolescence, which is expected to be nearly complete by the end of 2018.
Meanwhile, consumer WLAN market revenue decreased 7.2% on a year-over-year basis in 2Q17, finishing at $892.3 million. In 2Q17, the 802.11ac standard accounted for just 32.3% of shipments and 62.8% of revenue in the consumer category. 802.11ac was a bright spot in the consumer WLAN segment in 2Q17, with revenues increasing 13.6% year over year and shipments increasing 36.2% over the same period.
"The enterprise WLAN market's 2Q17 performance sends a strong message that this market is still in growth mode," said Nolan Greene, senior research analyst, Network Infrastructure at IDC. "WLAN is a critical enabler of end-to-end digital transformation strategies as wireless applications and devices continue to unlock new digital and business outcomes."
From a geographic perspective, the enterprise WLAN market saw its strongest 2Q17 growth coming from the Middle East and Africa (MEA), which increased 33.2% year over year in 2Q17, following a 1Q17 where the region experienced flatness. A 63.3% year-over-year upswing in the United Arab Emirates is the largest vector of this growth. Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) experienced strong growth for a second consecutive quarter, increasing 19.8% on an annualized basis in 2Q17. Standout performers in the region include Hungary (up 66.9% year over year) and Russia (up 42.1%). Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan)(APeJ) saw another strong performance in 2Q17, increasing 17.6% year over year. While most APeJ countries saw growth in 2Q17, Singapore and Thailand were most noteworthy (up 177.9% and 71.1% year over year, respectively). Western Europe also delivered a robust performance, increasing 16.2% on a year-over-year basis in 2Q17, with Spain and Finland recording the highest country-level growth rates (up 46.2% and 34.8%, respectively).
Japan now has experienced four consecutive quarters of growth (up 15.5% in 2Q17), signaling a full turnaround of a multi-quarter decline trend that took place from 2014-2016. The Americas experienced more moderate growth in 2Q17. Latin America increased 1.3% on an annualized basis. Argentina was a bright spot in the region, growing 47.6% year over year. North America was essentially flat, rising 0.3% year over year in 2Q17 with a 4.4% increase in Canada and essentially flat growth in the United States.
"A continued uptick in 802.11ac shipments as the de facto global standard for some time to come powered strong growth across most regions," said Petr Jirovsky, research manager, Worldwide Networking Trackers. "Aside from the ongoing DX trends, the market will also be shaped by ongoing refresh cycles and regional economics."
Key Enterprise WLAN Vendor Updates:
- Cisco's 2Q17 worldwide enterprise WLAN revenue increased 8.2% year over year in 2Q17. Cisco's worldwide market share came in at 43.2% in 2Q17, down from 43.4% in 1Q17, and 43.7% in 2Q16. IDC believes that the Meraki cloud-managed WLAN portfolio remains one of the primary growth drivers for Cisco, offsetting declines in its traditional controller-based WLAN portfolio.
- HPE-Aruba (excluding its OEM business and excluding H3C as of 2Q16) increased 28.8% year over year in 2Q17. HPE-Aruba's market share stands at 17.2% in 2Q17, up from 16.2% in 1Q17 and 14.6% in 2Q17.
- Brocade-Ruckus declined 7.4% year over year in 2Q17, while growing 19.5% sequentially. Brocade-Ruckus accounted for 5.8% of the overall market in 2Q17, up from 5.7% in 1Q17 and down from 6.8% in 2Q16.
- Ubiquiti recorded another quarter of strong growth in 2Q17, increasing 37.1% year over year. Ubiquiti accounted for 5.3% of the overall market in 2Q17, down from 6.1% in 1Q17 and 4.2% in 2Q16.
- Huawei once again experienced very strong growth in 2Q17, increasing 111.6% over 2Q16, while claiming 4.5% market share, up from 2.3% in 2Q16.
The IDC Worldwide Quarterly WLAN Tracker provides total market size and vendors share data in an easy-to-use Excel Pivot Table format. The geographic coverage includes 8 major regions (USA, Canada, Latin America, AP excluding Japan, Japan, Western Europe, Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa) and 58 countries. The WLAN market is further segmented by product class, product type, product, standard, and location. Measurement for the WLAN market is provided in factory revenue, customer revenue, and unit shipments.
About IDC Trackers
IDC Tracker products provide accurate and timely market size, vendor share, and forecasts for hundreds of technology markets from more than 100 countries around the globe. Using proprietary tools and research processes, IDC's Trackers are updated on a semiannual, quarterly, and monthly basis. Tracker results are delivered to clients in user-friendly excel deliverables and on-line query tools.
About IDC
International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,100 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC's analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of International Data Group (IDG), the world's leading media, data and marketing services company that activates and engages the most influential technology buyers.
Suggested Items
Koh Young Showcases Award-winning Inspection Solutions at SMTconnect with SmartRep in Hall 4A.225
04/25/2024 | Koh Young TechnologyKoh Young Technology, the industry leader in True 3D measurement-based inspection solutions, will showcase an array of award-winning inspection and measurement solutions at SMTconnect alongside its sales partner, SmartRep, in booth 4A.225 at NürnbergMesse from June 11-13, 2023. The following offers a glimpse into what Koh Young will present at the tradeshow:
Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Plasmatreat: Innovative Surface Preparation Solutions
04/25/2024 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOIn this interview, Editor Nolan Johnson speaks with Hardev Grewal, CEO and president of Plasmatreat, a developer of atmospheric plasma solutions. Plasmatreat uses clean compressed air and electricity to create plasma, offering environmentally friendly methods for surface preparation. Their technology measures plasma density for process optimization and can remove organic micro-contamination. Nolan and Hardev also discuss REDOX-Tool, a new technology for removing metal oxides.
Nanotechnology Market to Surpass $53.51 Billion by 2031
04/25/2024 | PRNewswireSkyQuest projects that the nanotechnology market will attain a value of USD 53.51 billion by 2031, with a CAGR of 36.4% over the forecast period (2024-2031).
Cadence, TSMC Collaborate on Wide-Ranging Innovations to Transform System and Semiconductor Design
04/25/2024 | Cadence Design SystemsCadence Design Systems, Inc. and TSMC have extended their longstanding collaboration by announcing a broad range of innovative technology advancements to accelerate design, including developments ranging from 3D-IC and advanced process nodes to design IP and photonics.
SMC Korea 2024 to Highlight Semiconductor Materials Trends and Innovations on Industry’s Path to $1 Trillion
04/24/2024 | SEMIWith Korea a major consumer of semiconductor materials and advanced materials a key driver of innovation on the industry’s path to $1 trillion, industry leaders and experts will gather at SMC (Strategic Materials Conference) Korea 2024 on May 29 at the Suwon Convention Center in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea to provide insights into the latest materials developments and trends. Registration is open.