Once the go-to solution for an enterprise wireless network, Wi-Fi 5 is nearing its demise. By 2025, Wi-Fi 5 will be near obsolete, as Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, and Wi-Fi 7 offer superior performance in a world where enterprises introduce more and more connected devices to their work environments. To avoid getting caught off-guard, equipment vendors must learn where the greatest demands lie within the world of Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) network solutions.

With smart home applications becoming ever-more popular, and with households making heavy use of streaming multimedia services, the growing demand for reliable, high-capacity home networking technology shows no sign of slowing down. As a result, Wi-Fi, which has been the dominant player in the home network market for years, may be facing some competition from two wired networks: G.hn and Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) 2.5.

Key Takeaways:

• Mesh Wi-Fi is growing rapidly. Shipments will reach 87 million units by 2030, making it the fastest-growing Wi-Fi solution for homes and small offices.
• Mesh delivers stronger, more reliable coverage. Multiple nodes prevent downtime, handle many devices at once, and are easy to scale with a simple plug-and-play setup.
• It improves the remote work and family experience. Mesh networks reduce lag and bandwidth issues when many devices are connected, supporting both work and entertainment needs.
• High costs and broadband requirements limit adoption. Mesh kits are expensive and need strong internet speeds, so repeaters and extenders remain attractive alternatives in price-sensitive and rural markets.
• Vendors must address performance and price concerns. To drive adoption, solution providers should minimize data-hopping issues and create more affordable entry-level options.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent work-from-home policies alerted millions more consumers and enterprises to the world of Wi-Fi coverage extension. The most encouraging solution for residential Wi-Fi extension is mesh networks, promising a seamless system that is much more resilient than a traditional Wi-Fi network. 

According to ABI Research market forecasts, more than 53 million Wi-Fi mesh Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) will ship in 2025 across SOHO and residential markets. Outpacing all other Wi-Fi device types, mesh infrastructure shipments will grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 13% through 2030, reaching 87 million units.