The Voice Over Wi-Fi Ecosystem

Identifying Market Leaders and Market Followers

The current state of VoWi-Fi requires WLAN equipment makers to fill in a number of key gaps in standards with their own proprietary solutions. It also requires them to integrate a number of different technologies including call management, end point security, and intrusion detection and protection. Finally, it requires that these vendors partner with a wide range of ecosystem players such as handset manufacturers, chipset manufacturers, PBX manufacturers, fixed mobile convergence software companies, and even mobile operators. It also requires partnering with key vertical market VARs and integrators to reach early adopters.

This report evaluates how successful the twelve major wireless LAN equipment manufacturers have been in adding VoWi-Fi functionality to their offerings and in building full VoWi-Fi ecosystems.

What Questions Does This Report Answer?

  • What key technology pieces are still missing from a standards-based VoWi-Fi solution?
  • How have WLAN equipment vendors filled critical technology gaps to offer VoWi-Fi products?
  • How are chipmakers addressing power consumption limitations for VoWi-Fi?
  • Who has built the most complete vertically-oriented reseller channels to reach early adopters of VoWi-Fi?
  • Which vendors have chosen not to build key partnerships and have limited their VoWi-Fi efforts to their own installed bases of customers?
  • What is the market growth potential for VoWi-Fi?
  • How many access points will customers require in key vertical industries to handle VoWi-Fi?

Who Needs This Report?

  • WLAN equipment manufacturers
  • Handset manufacturers
  • Wi-Fi chipmakers
  • Security hardware and software companies
  • FMC software companies
  • PBX manufacturers
  • Mobile operators

Table of Contents


Section 1.
Executive Summary
1.1. The Current State of VoWi-Fi
1.1.1. Drivers for VoWi-Fi
1.2. Technology Challenges for VoWi-Fi
1.2.1. Roaming
1.2.2. Load Balancing
1.2.3. Management
1.3. The VoWi-Fi Ecosystem
1.3.1. Chipmakers
1.3.2. Handset Manufacturers
1.3.3. PBX Manufacturers
1.3.4. FMC Software Companies
1.3.5. Hardware and Software Security Companies
1.3.6. WLAN Equipment Vendors
1.4. Evaluating WLAN Equipment Vendors’ VoWi-Fi Ecosystems
1.4.1. Leaders
1.4.2. Trailing Vendors
1.5. The Growth of VoWi-Fi in Key Verticals
1.5.1. Healthcare
1.5.2. Retail
1.5.3. Hospitality
1.5.4. Manufacturing
1.5.5. Other Industries

Section 2.
Market Issues
2.1. Definition of Voice over Wi-Fi
2.2. The Business Case for VoWi-Fi
2.2.1. Drivers for VoWi-Fi
2.2.2. Obstacles for VoWi-Fi
2.3. The Key Components of a VoWi-Fi Ecosystem
2.3.1. Chip Makers and Chip Design
2.3.2. Handset Manufacturers
2.3.3. Wireless LAN Equipment Manufacturers
2.3.4. IP PBX Manufacturers
2.3.5. Analog PBX Manufacturers
2.3.6. Security Hardware and Software Companies
2.3.6.1. Endpoint Security
2.3.6.2. RF Security
2.3.7. FMC Companies
2.3.8. Hotspot Operators
2.3.9. Mobile Operators
2.4. The Current VoWi-Fi Market
2.4.1. Consumer VoWi-Fi
2.4.1.1. Wi-Fi in the Home
2.4.1.2. Wi-Fi–Only Phones for the Consumer Marketplace
2.4.2. Commercial Markets
2.4.2.1. Key Vertical Markets
2.4.2.1.1. Healthcare
2.4.2.1.2. Retail
2.4.2.1.3. Manufacturing
2.4.2.1.4. Hospitality
2.4.2.1.5. Education
2.4.2.1.6. Warehouses

Section 3.
Technology Issues
3.1. Key Standards Lack Final Ratification
3.1.1. Fast Handoffs
3.1.1.1. The Need for Fast Handoffs during Roaming
3.1.1.2. Proprietary Rather than Standards-based Fast Handoffs
3.1.2. Load Balancing
3.1.2.1. The IEEE 802.11k Standard
3.1.3. Management and IEEE 802.11v
3.2. Security and Reliability Issues
3.2.1. Endpoint Security
3.2.1.1. Malware on Handsets Used for VoWi-Fi
3.2.2. Interference
3.2.3. Hackers
3.2.4. Battery Life
3.3. VoWi-Fi and Fixed Mobile Convergence
3.3.1. Unlicensed Mobile Access
3.3.2. IMS (IP Multimedia System)
3.4. Embryonic Levels of Integration
3.4.1. Location Appliances
3.4.2. PBX Extension
3.4.3. VoIP Handsets
3.4.4. Hotspots Usage
3.4.4.1. Skype Phones
3.4.4.2. Hotspot Admission and Authentication
3.4.5. Analysis and Management Tools
3.4.6. Intrusion Detection and Prevention
3.4.7. Security Integration with NAC
3.5. The Wi-Fi Alliance VoWi-Fi Certification
3.6. Quality of Service
3.7. Access Point Density and Voice Quality

Section 4.
Key Industry Players
4.1. Chipmakers
4.1.1. Atheros Communications Inc
4.1.2. Broadcom Corporation
4.1.3. CSR (Cambridge Silicon Radio)
4.1.4. Intel Corporation
4.1.5. Marvell Technology Group Ltd
4.1.6. Quorum Systems Inc
4.1.7. Qualcomm Inc
4.2. Hotspot Operators
4.2.1. Boingo Wireless Inc
4.2.2. Wayport Inc
4.3. Mobile Operators
4.3.1. AT&T Mobility
4.3.2. T-Mobile USA Inc
4.3.3. Truphone
4.3.4. Verizon
4.4. FMC (Fixed Mobile Convergence) Companies
4.4.1. Agito Networks
4.4.2. DiVitas Networks
4.4.3. Kineto Wireless
4.4.4. Cicero Networks
4.5. Telephony Equipment Companies
4.5.1. Alcatel-Lucent
4.5.2. Apple Inc
4.5.3. Belkin International Inc
4.5.4. D-Link Corporation
4.5.5. NETGEAR
4.5.6. Polycom (SpectraLink)
4.5.7. Vocera Communications
4.6. Wireless LAN Equipment Companies
4.6.1. Aruba Networks
4.6.2. Cisco Systems Inc
4.6.3. Colubris Networks
4.6.4. Extreme Networks
4.6.5. Extricom
4.6.6. Hewlett-Packard
4.6.7. Meru Networks
4.6.8. Motorola Inc
4.6.9. Nortel Networks
4.6.10. Siemens
4.6.11. Trapeze Networks
4.6.12. Xirrus Inc
4.7. Security Companies
4.7.1. AirDefense Inc
4.7.2. AirTight Networks
4.7.3. AirMagnet

Section 5.
Market Forecasts
5.1. The Overall Growth of Voice over Wi-Fi Traffic
5.2. The Growth of VoWi-Fi in Healthcare
5.3. The Growth of VoWi-Fi Traffic in the Retail Industry
5.4. The Growth of VoWi-Fi in the Hospitality Industry
5.5. The Growth of VoWi-Fi in the Manufacturing Industry
5.6. The Growth of VoWi-Fi in Other Industries

Section 6.
Who Has the Best VoWi-Fi Ecosystem?
6.1. What Is a VoWi-Fi Ecosystem?
6.2. Evaluation Criteria
6.2.1. Innovation
6.2.1.1. Roaming
6.2.1.2. Call Management
6.2.1.3. Endpoint Security
6.2.1.4. VoWi-Fi Reporting
6.2.1.5. Intrusion Detection and Protection
6.2.1.6. Troubleshooting Tools
6.2.1.7. FMC (Fixed Mobile Convergence) Scheme
6.2.1.8. Fast Handoffs
6.2.1.9. Load Balancing
6.2.1.10. Battery Life Enhancement
6.2.1.11. Quality of Service
6.2.1.12. Architecture
6.2.2. Implementation
6.2.2.1. PBX Partnerships
6.2.2.2. Security Partnerships
6.2.2.3. Vertical Reseller Partnerships
6.2.2.4. FMC Partnerships
6.2.2.5. Handset Partnerships
6.2.2.6. Technology Partnerships
6.3. Leaders
6.3.1. Cisco Systems Inc
6.3.2. Aruba Networks
6.3.3. Trapeze Networks
6.3.4. Nortel Networks
6.3.5. Motorola Inc
6.3.6. Meru Networks
6.3.7. Siemens
6.4. WLAN Vendors with VoWi-Fi Challenges
6.4.1. Hewlett-Packard
6.4.2. Xirrus
6.4.3. Extreme Networks
6.4.4. Extricom

Section 7.
Company List

Section 8.
Acronyms
Sources and Methodology
Notes



Tables
  • Wi-Fi Access Points Used for VoWi-Fi, World Market, Forecast: 2006 to 2012
  • Revenue Associated with Wi-Fi Access Points Used for VoWi-Fi, World Market, Forecast: 2006 to 2012
  • Wi-Fi Access Points Used for VoWi-Fi in Healthcare, World Market, Forecast: 2006 to 2012
  • Revenue Associated with Wi-Fi Access Points Used for VoWi-Fi in Healthcare, World Market, Forecast: 2006 to 2012
  • Wi-Fi Access Points Used for VoWi-Fi in Retail, World Market, Forecast: 2006 to 2012
  • Revenue Associated with Wi-Fi Access Points Used for VoWi-Fi in Retail, World Market, Forecast: 2006 to 2012
  • Wi-Fi Access Points Used for VoWi-Fi for Hospitality, World Market, Forecast: 2006 to 2012
  • Revenue Associated with Wi-Fi Access Points Used for VoWi-Fi in Hospitality, World Market, Forecast: 2006 to 2012
  • Wi-Fi Access Points Used for VoWi-Fi for Manufacturing, World Market, Forecast: 2006 to 2012
  • Revenue Associated with Wi-Fi Access Points Used for Manufacturing, World Market, Forecast: 2006 to 2012
  • Wi-Fi Access Points Used for VoWi-Fi for Other Verticals, World Market, Forecast: 2006 to 2012
  • Revenue Associated with Wi-Fi Access Points Used for VoWi-Fi for Other Verticals, World Market, Forecast: 2006 to 2012

Charts
  • Home Network Connections by LAN Type, World Market Forecast: 2003 to 2012
  • Shipments of Consumer Electronics Devices with Embedded Wi-Fi by Region, World Market: 2007 to 2009
  • The Growth of Access Points Used for VoWi-Fi Traffic
  • The Growth of Revenue Associated with Access Points Used for VoWi-Fi Traffic
  • The Growth of Access Points Used for VoWi-Fi Traffic in Healthcare
  • The Growth of Revenue Associated with Access Points Used for VoWi-Fi in the Healthcare Industry
  • The Growth of Access Points Used for VoWi-Fi Traffic in the Retail Industry
  • The Growth of Revenue Associated with Access Points Used for VoWi-Fi Traffic
  • The Growth of Access Points Used for VoWi-Fi Traffic in the Hospitality Industry
  • The Growth of Revenue Associated with Access Points Used for VoWi-Fi Traffic in the Hospitality Industry
  • The Growth of Access Points Used for VoWi-Fi Traffic
  • The Growth of Revenue Associated with Access Points Used for VoWi-Fi Traffic in the Hospitality Industry
  • The Growth of Access Points Used for VoWi-Fi Traffic in Other Industries
  • The Growth of Revenue Associated with Access Points Used for VoWi-Fi Traffic in Other Industries

Figures
  • FMC Network Using UMA
  • Enterprise FMC