Metro WiFi to Cover 126k Square Miles by 2010

March 16, 2006

Here's an interesting report from ABI Research: "Metro Wi-Fi Network Coverage to Top 126,000 Square Miles by 2010, Says ABI Research."

ABI says municipal wifi only covered 1,500 square miles in 2005, so this sounds like a fast growth rate. 126,000 square miles, the report says, is a little larger than Poland or New Mexico! ABI estimates these deployments will result in sales of more than a million wireless mesh routers at more than $1.2 billion.

ABI identifies four trends behind this growth:

Local governments are�backing deployments for government operations and public safety.
ISPs see mesh networking as a possible way to compete with incumbent providers in the broadband market.
Wireless mesh networking is emerging as a way to serve smaller and more isolated markets.
The technology also might work for cable companies in competing in broadband markets.

ABI Analyst Sam Lucerno doesn't think incumbents will pursue wireless mesh extensively�"because it does not provide adequate bandwidth for bundled video, voice, and broadband data. Also, they have already invested significant funds and effort in deploying their current networks."

AB -- 3/16/06

Related Tags: square miles, square, miles, broadband, wireless