OYSTER BAY, N.Y.-ABI Research said the Wi-Fi market is benefiting from several forces, including a better economy, handheld devices aimed at niche markets and a variety of new Wi-Fi-ready phones.
The firm raised its forecast for wireless handset shipments based on a more bullish economy. In addition, new wireless devices aimed at niche markets, including some that don’t include voice capabilities, are beginning to hit the market. ABI offered Cingular’s OGO device and Nokia’s N-Gage offering as examples.
Finally, the number of available Wi-Fi-ready phones is about to increase rapidly, according to ABI.
“Starting this year and gaining momentum over the next two years, Wi-Fi-capable phones will ship in large and growing numbers,” said Philip Solis, senior analyst for wireless connectivity at ABI Research. “The number of embedded Wi-Fi ICs sold will surpass that of Wi-Fi networking chipsets by 2006 and is forecast to account for more than twice as many units shipped by 2007.”
