For Consumer Product Strategy Professionals (Length: 15 pages)

March 4, 2009

802.11n: Laying The Groundwork For The Digital Home

The State Of US Home Networking

by Nathan Safran

with Charles S. Golvin, Doug Williams


Executive Summary (This is a document excerpt)

The 802.11n Wi-Fi specification is still in draft mode, but network equipment vendors are going full speed ahead in marketing 802.11n equipment. For the vast majority of consumers, 802.11n's bandwidth of 300 Mbps is overkill, but its improved wireless coverage will benefit the majority of home networkers by improving network speeds and range. Vendors should focus on 802.11n's Wi-Fi coverage improvements and emphasize its benefits, not its technical specifications, to avoid exposing consumers to the alphabet soup that the networking industry has become. Ultimately, as 802.11g equipment works its way out of the retail channel and manufacturers of the wireless chips found in home networking equipment transition entirely from 802.11g to 802.11n chips, 78% of US wireless home networks will use the 802.11n standard by 2013.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

NOTES & RESOURCES

itemThe Evolution Of The Home Network

itemBroadband Adoption Drives The Home Networking Industry

itemWi-Fi Easily Puts The Net Where Users Want It— Everywhere

itemThe Increasingly Connected Consumer Will Drive Home Network Adoption

item802.11n Is The Next Generation Of Home Network

item802.11n Speeds Are Overkill For Consumers Today . . .

item. . . But Provide The Foundation For Tomorrow

itemBroadband ISPs Will Drive Networking — But Not 802.11n

recommendations

itemEmphasize The Benefits Of 802.11n, Not The Gear Specs

WHAT IT MEANS

itemWireless Home Networks Will Become Faster And Have More Coverage

Forrester spoke with home networking equipment vendors, Internet service providers, and other firms in adjacent spaces for this report. We also surveyed more than 2,400 US online consumers about their wireless network and issues with it. Forrester created a home network forecast of US home network penetration, Wi-Fi and 802.11n adoption, and distribution of networking equipment by sales channel.

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Find Documents In Related Categories

This document falls under the following categories. Click on a link below to find similar documents.

Technology: B2B Sales & Marketing, Broadband & Remote Access, Data Services, eBusiness/eCommerce, Local Area Networks, Mobile Services, Networking, Product & Solutions Strategies, Telecommunications Services, Telecommunications Services By Region
Industry: Consumer Electronics, Consumer Industries, Consumer Portals & Search, Consumer Technology, Consumer Telecommunications, Media & Entertainment, Television, The Mobile Channel
Special Feature: Forecasts
Geography: North America

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Original air date: Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Special Features

4 Forecasts

Research on future technology trends or innovation

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