Research Overview
Scalable VoWLAN Offers Desktop Functionality to Mobile Workers
Voice over wireless local area network (VoWLAN) is addressing enterprises needs for enhanced
communication solutions that can extend mobility and accessibility to their employees. There are
growing numbers of mobile workers in North America who can benefit from VoWLAN through cost savings
and improved productivity. Further, its significant return on investment (ROI) lends it improved
credibility.
This Frost & Sullivan research service provides an in-depth analysis of the VoWLAN single and
dual-mode devices market. The current state of the market, drivers and restraints likely to impact
the market, and the competitive landscape are some of the areas that are comprehensively covered in
this study. In addition, it also includes a section on current and future market and technology
trends.
Inclusion of VoWLAN devices in PBX Enterprise Communications Product Portfolio Highlights their
Adaptability
"VoWLAN was mostly deployed in the healthcare and retail verticals. However VoWLAN device
manufacturers have diversified their indirect sales channels by entering into original equipment
manufacturer (OEM) partnerships with IP-PBX vendors that have an established enterprise client
base," according to the analysts of this study. "This has widened the reach of VoWLAN
among other industry verticals such as education, government, and hospitality."
Besides promoting increased visibility of VoWLAN as a mobile communication solution among
enterprises, efforts to make VoWLAN systems interoperable has also increased traction in deployment.
The introduction of certification programs by industry participants in the VoWLAN space combined
with working groups from wireless standard organizations such as the IEEE and the Wi-Fi Alliance
will provide an assurance that all the required elements will work together smoothly. This also
helps enterprises in piecing together an effective and functioning end-to-end VoWLAN communication
system.
Deployment of Dual-mode Devices Despite their Drawbacks will transform VoWLAN to a Mainstream
Mobile Communication Solution
Although the VoWLAN has many advantages, the deterrent to its wide-spread deployment could lie in
the quick consumption of battery power due to the wireless radio constantly looking for voice
packets even when the device is not being used. Also, the Federal Communication Commissions (FCC)
changes in the allocation of available frequency spectrum and reluctance of enterprises to replace
their existing WLAN system to support toll-quality voice are two challenges likely to be faced by
this market. Nonetheless, the introduction of dual-mode devices that work on cellular and Wi-Fi
networks and enable employees to take calls when they are inside and outside the building, is
expected to create demand.
"To date VoWLAN deployment was limited to niche verticals, but with the introduction of
dual-mode devices, the increased mobility has opened up the VoWLAN market to general office business
executives and employees," note the analysts of this study. "Benefits such as increased
productivity and customer satisfaction levels resulting from the mobile employee being accessible
will convince enterprises of the benefits associated with deployment of this technology thus
securing its future."
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market success. Frost & Sullivans strengths lie in combining strategic understanding with
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Benefits of this Service
Identifies Market Drivers and Industry Challenges for Deployment of VoWLAN in Enterprises
VoWLAN becoming a mainstream mobile communication solution depends on identifying reasons for an
enterprise to adopt it and highlight challenges that could prevent wide-scale deployment. This
research service comprehensively analyzes the key factors impacting the adoption of VoWLAN by
enterprises.
Informs Participants on Future Technological and Market Trends
VoWLAN is susceptible to rapid technological innovations and changing standards. This study aims
to give an overview of the technological trends that will have a bearing on the North American
VoWLAN markets Also, business developments such as the latest acquisitions and business
relationships that are likely to have an impact on this market are discussed in this study.
Provides In-depth Analysis of Device Vendors and their Product Offerings
With the aid of this study, market participants will be able to determine their current market
positioning with respect to competitors and develop business strategies that could enhance their
market penetration in the coming years. An analysis of major market participants, their competitive
strategy, and their product offerings in the North American VoWLAN markets is included in this study
for the benefit of the market participants.
Provides Market Share, Unit Shipments, and Revenue Forecasts in Addition to Strategic
Recommendations for the VoWLAN Devices Market
VoWLAN device vendors are presently facing technological and business challenges that need to be
overcome in order to promote wide-scale deployment of this technology in enterprises. This study
provides strategic recommendations to device vendors in overcoming these challenges in addition to
market share of device vendors, unit shipments, and revenue forecasts. This is likely to enable
device vendor to devise business plans with respect to the progressing market.
Market Sectors
Expert Frost & Sullivan analysts thoroughly examine the following market sectors in this
research:
- Single-mode VoWLAN devices
- Dual-mode VoWLAN devices
Technologies
The following technologies are covered in this research:
- Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN): WLAN consists of a collection of nodes within a local area
such as building that transmits data wirelessly using radio waves.
- Voice over Wireless Local Area Network (VoWLAN): VoWLAN enables transmission of voice over the
WLAN, which has been traditionally used for data transfer. Voice is digitized and sent over the WLAN
in the form of packets, thereby, enabling wireless communication.
- Softphone: A softphone is a software application that simulates a traditional hard-wired phone
and runs on computing devices such as desktops, laptops, and personal digital assistant (PDA). The
softphone is used in conjunction with a headset connected to the sound card of the computing device.
- Single-mode VoWLAN devices: Any voice enabled device that functions on the 802.11 wireless local
area network (WLAN) is considered as a single-mode VoWLAN device. A single-mode VoWLAN device works
in conjunction with the enterprises PBX system and the WLAN system to route deskphone calls
wirelessly within the enterprise.
- Dual-mode VoWLAN devices: Any device that can be used to make or receive calls on the cellular
network or a WLAN is considered as a dual-mode device. A dual mode VoWLAN device in addition to
interfacing with an enterprises PBX and WLAN should also work in conjunction with the cellular
network to extend mobility outside the enterprise premises.
Whats Included
- Comprehensive insights into the factors impacting the North American voice over WLAN markets
such as market drivers and restraints and industry challenges
- In-depth coverage of the VoWLAN device market and technological trends
- Market forecast revenue forecasts, and unit shipment for VoWLAN devices
- Competitor analysis and vendor profiles of VoWLAN device manufacturers
- Strategic recommendations to device vendors for overcoming industry challenges in the VoWLAN
devices market
Table Of Contents
1. The Market for VoWLAN Devices
- 1. Market Overview
- 1. Executive Summary
- 2. Introduction and Scope of Study
- 3. The Need for VoWLAN
- 4. State of the Market
- 5. Market Engineering Measurements
- 6. Market Segmentation
- 2. Factors Impacting the Market
- 1. Market Drivers
- a. Deployment of Voice over Wireless Local Area Network (VoWLAN) Devices will Provide
Significant Return on Investment (ROI) for Enterprises
- b. The Development of New Wireless Quality of Service (QoS) and Security Standards Addresses
Technical Limitations of VoWLAN
- c. The Introduction of Dual-mode Handsets in the Market will Increase the Visibility of VoWLAN
as a Communication Solution in Enterprises
- d. Integration of the Deskphone PBX Features to the VoWLAN Device Enables Mobile Workers to
Retain Desktop Functionality while Moving about the Office
- e. The Growing Deployment of IP Telephony Systems and WLANs in Enterprises Has Led to a Quicker
Penetration of VoWLAN in the Enterprise Segment
- f. A VoWLAN Communication System Ensures that Mobile Employees are Always Reachable
- g. Vendors that have a Strong Presence in the PBX Systems Market Have Added VoWLAN Devices to
Their Enterprise Communications Product Portfolio
- h. Device Vendors, PBX System Vendors and WLAN Equipment Manufacturers are Working Together to
Promote Interoperability
- i. VoWLAN Has Also Gained Traction in the Consumer Market, which will Impact the Enterprise
Market as Decision Makers Become Accustomed to Mobility at Home
- j. Formation of Alliances will Increase the Penetration of Dual-mode Devices by Developing a
Seamless Transfer Solution for Calls between Networks
- 2. Market Restraints
- a. Hand-off Issues between Access Points Can Limit Mobility Within an Enterprise
- b. Existing 802.11 B/G WLAN Infrastructure is Not Capable of Handling Voice
- c. Slow Ratification of Standards Has Delayed VoWLAN Adoption
- d. Cellular Service Providers are Reluctant to Provide Service to Dual-mode Devices as it Might
Lead to a Loss in Call Revenue.
- e. WLAN System Architectures Designed with Stationary Laptop Users in Mind Might Not be a Good
Testing Ground for VoWLAN
- f. VoWLAN is Directly Dependent on WLAN Equipment and IP-PBX Systems Market; Adverse Business
Developments in either of the Two Markets will Adversely Impact V0WLAN
- g. Pairing-up Issues such as Signal Strength and Billing between the Cellular and WLAN Network
will Result in Complexities
- h. Competition from a Low-cost Mature Technology LIKE Digital Enhanced Cordless
Telecommunication (DECT) Can Overshadow VoWLAN
- i. VoWLAN Devices Available Today are Expensive which Prevents Large-scale Deployment within
Enterprises
- j. There is No Clear Consensus On a Seamless Call Transfer Technology
- 3. Market Challenges
- 4. Market Trends
- 5. Technological Trends
2. Competitive Analysis and Market Forecasts
- 1. Competitive Analysis and Strategic Recommendations
- 1. Competitive Structure and Market Share
- 2. Product Pricing and Feature Comparison
- 3. Distribution Channel Analysis
- 4. Single-mode Device Vendor Profiles
- 5. Dual-mode Device Vendor Profiles
- 6. Strategic Recommendations
- 2. Demand Analysis and Revenue Forecast
- 1. Demand Analysis
- 2. Market Forecast for VoWLAN Client Devices
- 3. Frost & Sullivan Awards
- 1. Frost & Sullivan Award for Market Leadership
- 2. Frost & Sullivan Award for Excellence in Technology
- 3. Frost & Sullivan Award for Competitive Strategy Leadership
- 4. Frost & Sullivan Award for Product Differentiation Innovation
- 5. Frost & Sullivan Award for Technology Innovation
List of Figures
Chapter 1
- VoWLAN Markets: Market Drivers Ranked in Order of Impact (North America), 2005-2011
- VoWLAN Markets: Fixed Mobile Convergence Alliances (North America), 2005-2011
- VoWLAN Markets: Market Restraints Ranked in Order of Impact (North America), 2005-2011
- VoWLAN Markets: Available wireless standards for VoWLAN (North America), 2005-2011
- VoWLAN Markets: Outline of Wireless Standards and their Status (North America), 2005
- VoWLAN Markets: Impact of Top Ten Industry Challenges (North America), 2005-2011
Chapter 2
- VoWLAN Markets: Database of VoWLAN Device Manufacturers by Product Type (North America), 2005
- VoWLAN Markets: Client Device Competitive Structure (North America), 2005
- VoWLAN Markets: : Company Market Share by Unit Shipments (North America), 2005
- VoWLAN Markets: Comparison of Products Offered by Device Manufacturers (North America), 2005
- VoWLAN Markets: Retail Pricing Information for Products Offered by Device Manufacturers (North
America), 2005
- VoWLAN Markets: Unit Shipment and Revenue Forecasts (North America), 2005-2011
- VoWLAN Markets: Percent of unit shipments by product type (North America), 2005-2011
List of Charts
Chapter 1
- VoWLAN Markets: Market Engineering Measurements (North America), 2005
- VoWLAN Markets: Total Number of Enterprises (North America), 1999-2005
- VoWLAN Markets: Market Segmentation (North America), 2005
- VoWLAN Markets: Market Participants (North America), 2005
- VoWLAN Markets: IP-PBX Unit Shipments (North America), 2003-2009
- VoWLAN Markets: IP Centrex Shipments (North America), 2003-2009
- VoWLAN Markets: VoIP Access Lines (North America), 2002-2009
- VoWLAN Markets: Number of Mobile Workers (North America) 1996-2004
Chapter 2
- VoWLAN Markets: Desired Features (North America), 2005
- VoWLAN Markets: Single-Mode and Dual-Mode revenues (North America), 2005-2011
