Wi-Fi chipset market set to surpass USD 20 billion by 2026

Wi-Fi chipset market size is set to surpass USD 20 billion by 2026, according to a new research report by Global Market Insights, Inc.

The advent of 5G technology and its commercialization across the world is expected to fuel the Wi-Fi chipset industry growth. For instance, according to the GSMA Intelligence Mobile Economy 2020 report, the number of 5G connections is projected to reach the 1.8 billion mark by 2025. Consumer electronic devices including 5G smartphones, tablets, and wearable devices are embedded with Wi-Fi chipset. The Wi-Fi chipset increases data transmission speed, power efficiency, and mitigate network congestions in 5G consumer electronic devices.

The rising penetration of smart factories across the globe is anticipated to drive the Wi-Fi chipset market value. Smart factories are extensively incorporating a large number of automated devices such as industrial robots, Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), Human-Machine Interface (HMI), industrial PCs, etc. These devices are connected over a secure industrial wireless network and smart factories are incorporating Wi-Fi chipset into their systems. The adoption of AI and IoT technologies in smart factories will further boost the market revenue.

Security concerns and regulations regarding the privacy of data will act as a major restrain in the Wi-Fi chipset market expansion. Rising cases of wireless hacking over public hotspots globally are hampering the market demand. In addition, connectivity issues due to adjacent channel interferences and co-channel interferences will pose a challenge to Wi-Fi chipset and devices. To overcome this, several regulatory associations are focusing on the introduction of new security standards for Wi-Fi devices and networks.
IEEE 802.11ac standard is gaining traction due to rising integration in Wi-Fi 5 routers and gateway devices

The IEEE 802.11ac segment in the Wi-Fi chipset market is estimated to observe -3% growth rate till 2026. The IEEE 802.11ac standard delivers a high data transfer speed of up to 600 Mbps on 2.4GHz bandwidth and 1,300 Mbps on 5MHz bandwidth. It supports multiple data paths, low latency, and higher agility on the network compared to other IEEE standards such as IEEE 802.11n and IEEE 802.11b/g. The majority of smartphone manufacturers including Samsung, Xiaomi, and Huawei are incorporating Wi-Fi 5 chipsets based on the IEEE 802.11ac standard in their smartphone products.

The IEEE 802.11ac standard offers several features, such as high-speed transmission, multi-user interface lesser congestion, and efficient I/O protocol, propelling its integration in Wi-Fi routers and gateway devices applications. Key players in the market are focusing on the deployment of IEEE 802.11ac standard in Wi-fi devices and chipsets to gain high growth opportunities in the market.

Surging demand for Single-User MIMO (SU-MIMO) configuration in high-security application
The SU-MIMO segment accounted for around 10% of the Wi-Fi chipset market share in 2019 owing to the increasing adoption of this configuration in high-security applications such as the banking and financial institution sector. The single-user (SU-MIMO) allows data transfer from one device to another at a time with no interference in the network. It offers high network security, data transmission speed, and data encryption features, which is highly suitable for banks and insurance offices. The adoption of SU-MIMO in Wi-Fi routers, gateway devices, and repeaters in banks will help them to deliver high data security and network agility, resulting in high growth opportunities for SU-MIMO applications. Development in the massive MIMO configuration that combines the features of SU-MIMO and MU-MIMO configuration will add a lucrative advantage to the market.

Increasing penetration of online streaming platforms in developing nations is proliferating the demand for tri band Wi-Fi devices
The tri band segment in the Wi-Fi chipset market held over 10% of revenue share in 2019 and is projected to grow at 10% CAGR through 2026. A tri band Wi-Fi chipset utilizes three different frequency bands including 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 60 GHz for high-speed data transmission. The adoption of a high-frequency band up to 60 GHz helps to reduce network congestion, supports multiple devices, and increases the device coverage areas in Wi-Fi routers and gateways. Companies are focusing on incorporating IEEE 802.11ad standards in their new Wi-Fi chips, driving the tri band technology segment growth.

The rising number of online streaming platforms, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ Hotstar, etc., in developing economies is augmenting the acceptance of tri band Wi-Fi chipset.

Proliferation of connected home devices in developed economies will propel the adoption of Wi-Fi chipset
The connected home devices application accounted for 20% of the Wi-Fi chipset market share in 2019 and is poised to attain a CAGR of 8%by 2026 on account of the rising adoption of connected home appliances in the developed economies. Wi-Fi chips are integrated into connected home devices such as service robots, robotic vacuums, smart security systems, and HVAC control systems, among others. According to the World Health Organization, by 2030, countries including Japan, South Korea, the UK, France, and Italy will face the problem of population aging. This will increase the demand for connected home devices and service robots in these countries. The proliferation of connected home devices will add new growth opportunities in the market.

Increasing government initiatives toward the development of public Wi-Fi hotspots are laying a significant impact on APAC market
The Asia Pacific Wi-Fi chipset market captured for more than 35% revenue share in 2019 and is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 3% from 2020 to 2026 impelled by supportive government initiatives for the development of public hotspot infrastructure in the region. For instance, the Government of Singapore introduced Wireless@SG, which focuses on the deployment of free public Wi-Fi hotspots across Singapore by 2021.

Major companies operating in the Wi-Fi chipset market include Broadcom, Inc., Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., MediaTek, Inc., Intel Corporation, NXP Semiconductors N.V., and Texas Instruments Incorporated, among others. These leaders focus on continuous research and development activities to provide technically advanced products than their competitors.
CT Bureau