Wi-Fi Enables Wireless Traffic Growth

While cellular phone companies are investing billions of dollars in technologies to give their subscribers enhanced services such and 4G mobile internet, Wi-Fi is more vital than ever for wireless access. As the number of cellular device subscriptions for smartphones, tablets, laptops and aircards has soared, so has the demand placed upon cellular networks. Wi-Fi acts as a vital relief valve. Wireless device owners increasingly want to access immense files, such as Netflix movies on demand. If the world’s rapidly increasing wireless data traffic relied solely on cellular networks, the system would be under severe stress. However, since wireless device owners frequently have access to Wi-Fi as an alternative for a large portion of the day, they can switch to Wi-Fi from cellular as needed, reducing their total cellular subscription costs and dramatically reducing the load placed on cellular networks. The role played by Wi-Fi will remain vitally important, even as ultrafast 5G cellular networks are rolled out. At the same time, Wi-Fi will become even more important to the world’s technology users as connected devices proliferate in the rapidly growing Internet of Things (IoT).

Experts at Cisco, with their Cisco Visual Networking Index, estimated that by 2023, the global number of internet-connected mobile devices will reach 3.6 per capita (nearly 28.5 billion devices). Smartphones will represent about 44% of these devices and connections. More than 50% of mobile traffic is offloaded to Wi-Fi rather than remaining on cellular networks.

Wi-Fi routers have very high theoretical data transfer speeds, but actual speeds rely on local internet connections. On the fixed end, each Wi-Fi network is tied into an internet router. This means that the actual download speed enjoyed by the Wi-Fi user is limited to the speed of the internet service connected to the router. If a user has a local internet connection with a 50 meg download speed via a cable modem, then the local Wi-Fi system will also be limited to 50 meg.

Wi-Fi is now advancing through enhanced technologies. Recent enhancements include MU-MIMO (multi-user, multiple-input, multiple-output), which allows a Wi-Fi device to handle data requests from multiple sources at once. Another recent technology known as OFDMA (orthogonal frequency-division multiple access) can split a Wi-Fi channel into many data pipes simultaneously. Kumu Networks, Inc., a startup based in Santa Clara, California (kumunetworks.com), has developed “full duplex” technology that enables Wi-Fi to transmit and receive simultaneously, effectively doubling the speed and capability of the network.

In early 2019, Amazon acquired Eero, a Wi-Fi startup that makes small wireless routers for home use, promising no Wi-Fi dead zones within the home. The acquisition enables Amazon to compete with Google’s OnHubs.

Amazon and Apple are using devices such as iPhones, smartwatches, “smart” speakers and personal digital assistants such as Alexa to provide connectivity and power wireless networks. The companies use their wireless networks, such as Amazon’s Sidewalk, as well as Apple’s AirTag and Find My Network, to allow the devices to transmit tiny bits of data from any available wireless connection, thereby supplementing Wi-Fi networks and reducing wireless communication problems. Data is encrypted for security.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Become a Plunkett Research Online subscriber to gain unlimited access to our massive amount of vital industry data and market research.

✔ 100,000 Industry Statistics
✔ 500 Industries Analyzed for Market Size, Profits and Forecasts
✔ 150,000 Industry Executives Profiled
✔ 25,000 Companies Profiled, Ranked and Analyzed
✔ 1,000 Vital Trends Analyzed, totaling 1,000,000 words

Learn More

Wi-Fi Enables Wireless Traffic Growth, Business and Industry Trends Analysis

A Representative List of Organizations that Have Used our Research and Products:

How to access Plunkett Research data.

What data challenge can we help you solve today?

Take a Tour

Contact

Testimonials