Cisco overtakes Symbol in WLAN switch and controller market in 2005

Infonetics: Worldwide wireless LAN equipment revenue dipped 5% in 4Q05 to $591 million, but topped $2.4 billion in 2005, a 10% increase over 2004.

As WLAN continues to show growth across most product categories and throughout all regions, forecasts the WLAN equipment market to reach $3.8 billion by 2009. In particular, the enterprise segment is expected to flourish, with revenue jumping 120% between 2005 and 2009.

The enterprise segment is where the action is. Organizations of all sizes are increasingly mobile and data-reliant, so the need for network access while on the move is crucial, driving growth of WLAN switches and controllers in particular, which achieve double-digit annual revenue growth through 2009.

• WLAN unit shipments jumped 39% between 2004 and 2005 to over 25 million

• In 2005, Cisco is the clear leader in the enterprise WLAN equipment segment, followed by Symbol, then 3Com

• worldwide WLAN switch and controller unit shipments jumped 154% and revenue grew 93% between 2004 and 2005

• Cisco leads for WLAN switch and controller revenue in 2005, leapfrogging Symbol, with Aruba and Trapeze just behind

• In 2005, access points accounted for 81% of WLAN equipment revenue, and WLAN switches and controllers accounted for 19%, but account for 44% by 2009

• North America makes up 48% of revenue in 2005, EMEA 27%, Asia Pacific 21%, and CALA 4%

Wireless LAN Equipment

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