Market Overview:
The global Wi-Fi as a Service Market size was valued at USD 9.56 billion in 2022, and is projected to reach USD 15.57 billion by 2032 at a CAGR of 24.5% from 2022 to 2032. Wi-Fi as a Service (WaaS) is a business model in which a third-party provider offers wireless networking services to customers on a subscription basis. Essentially, it is a cloud-based model that allows organizations to outsource the management of their Wi-Fi networks to a service provider, freeing them up to focus on their core business operations. In the WaaS model, the service provider typically takes care of the entire Wi-Fi network deployment and management process, from site survey and equipment installation to ongoing maintenance, troubleshooting, and upgrades. This allows businesses to benefit from a fully-managed Wi-Fi network without the need to invest in expensive hardware and software or hire dedicated IT staff. WaaS is becoming increasingly popular as more organizations adopt mobile and cloud-based technologies and require reliable and scalable wireless networking capabilities. It is particularly well-suited for organizations with distributed workforces or those that need to provide Wi-Fi access to customers and guests.
The WaaS market includes a wide range of providers, from large telecommunications companies and IT service providers to specialized Wi-Fi managed service providers. These providers offer a range of services, from basic connectivity to advanced analytics and security features, to meet the diverse needs of their customers. The market is expected to continue to grow as more businesses recognize the benefits of outsourcing their Wi-Fi management and as new technologies such as Wi-Fi 6 and 5G become more widely adopted.
Rise of cloud-based applications is propelling the growth of the Wi-Fi as a Service market.
One growth opportunity for the Wi-Fi as a Service market is the increasing demand for high-speed and reliable wireless connectivity in a wide range of industries. With the proliferation of mobile devices and the rise of cloud-based applications, organizations across sectors are looking to upgrade their wireless networking capabilities to support their business operations and meet the needs of their employees and customers. For example, in the healthcare industry, Wi-Fi as a Service can be used to support telemedicine applications, allowing patients to remotely connect with healthcare providers and access medical services from the comfort of their own homes. Similarly, in the retail industry, WaaS can be used to provide shoppers with a seamless and personalized experience, using analytics and location-based services to deliver targeted promotions and recommendations.
As more devices become connected to the internet, the demand for reliable and secure wireless networks is expected to grow. WaaS providers can offer IoT-specific connectivity and management features, such as device onboarding and network segmentation, to support the diverse needs of IoT deployments. Overall, the growing demand for high-speed and reliable wireless connectivity across industries and the increasing adoption of IoT devices represent significant growth opportunities for the Wi-Fi as a Service market.
Segmentation:
By Organization size:
• Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (SMBs)
• Large Enterprises
By End-use industry
• Healthcare
• Retail
• Education
• Hospitality
• Transportation
• Others
By Deployment Model
• On-Premise
• Cloud-Based
• Hybrid Deployments
By Solution Type
• Wi-Fi 6
• Wi-Fi mesh
• Wi-Fi analytics
Geography:
The North American region dominates the Wi-Fi as a Service Market. North America dominates the market for several reasons:
• Strong IT infrastructure: North America has a well-developed IT infrastructure and is home to several leading IT companies, making it an attractive market for Wi-Fi as a Service providers.
• High demand for Wi-Fi: The region has a high demand for Wi-Fi services, driven by the proliferation of mobile devices and the increasing adoption of cloud-based applications.
• Early adoption of new technologies: North America is known for its early adoption of new technologies, and many businesses in the region are already leveraging Wi-Fi as service solutions to support their operations.
• Favorable regulatory environment: The region has a favorable regulatory environment that supports the growth of the Wi-Fi as a Service market, including regulations related to data privacy and security.
• Large addressable market: North America has a large addressable market for Wi-Fi as a Service, with businesses of all sizes and across industries looking to upgrade their wireless networking capabilities.
Impact of COVID-19 and Russia Ukraine War:
The COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine have had significant impacts on the Wi-Fi as a Service market, albeit in different ways. The pandemic has led to a significant increase in remote work, which has fueled the demand for Wi-Fi as a Service solution. Companies have been forced to adopt remote work policies to comply with social distancing guidelines, and this has led to an increased need for reliable and secure Wi-Fi networks to support remote workers. The pandemic has also resulted in a delayed or reduced investment in new technology by some organizations, as they focus on other urgent needs such as ensuring business continuity. With the need to operate remotely, there has been an increased demand for digital transformation across industries, including education, healthcare, and retail. This has resulted in a need for Wi-Fi as a Service solution to support these digital transformations. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has created geopolitical risks that have affected the Wi-Fi as a Service market, especially in the region. Companies in the affected areas may be more cautious about investing in new technology, including Wi-Fi as a Service solution.
Recent Developments:
• In 2021, Cisco Meraki launched its new Wi-Fi 6E access points, which support the latest Wi-Fi standards and offer increased bandwidth and improved performance.
• In 2020, Extreme Networks announced its acquisition of Aerohive Networks, a cloud-based Wi-Fi solutions provider, which has helped to expand its offerings in the Wi-Fi as a Service market.
• In 2021, Cambium Networks announced the launch of its new Wi-Fi 6 access points, which offer enhanced security and reliability features and are designed to support high-density deployments.
• In 2020, Aruba announced the launch of its new Wi-Fi 6E access points, which offer increased capacity and improved performance for high-density deployments.
• In 2021, CommScope announced the launch of its new RUCKUS Wi-Fi 6 access points, which are designed to support high-density deployments and offer advanced security features.
Overall, these product launches and mergers demonstrate the continued growth and innovation in the Wi-Fi as a Service market, as companies look to capitalize on the increasing demand for wireless networking solutions.
Company Profiles:
• Cisco Systems, Inc.
• Comcast Business
• Ruckus Wireless
• Nokia Networks
• Ericsson AB
• HPE Aruba
• Aerohive Networks
• Extreme Networks
• Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
• ADTRAN, Inc.
• Mojo Networks
• Ubiquiti Networks, Inc.
• Allied Telesis, Inc.
• Fortinet, Inc.
• ZTE Corporation.