First Wi-Fi 802.11n-Enabled Handsets Get Certified

The Wi-Fi technology is being present more and more in new advanced mobile phones, as more and more carriers, handset makers, and end users are embracing the technology so as to benefit from enhanced coverage, bandwidth boost, and more. Thus, the Wi-Fi Alliance has just announced that a number of ten mobile phones have received Wi-Fi 802.11n certification. Considering that ABI Research already announced that it estimated 141 million handsets shipped in 2009 with Wi-Fi on board, the announcement is clearly meant to make people rejoice.

According to the Wi-Fi Alliance, the certification volume of Wi-Fi handsets went up 142 percent in 2009 when compared to the 2008 levels. “The phenomenal growth of handsets offering Wi-Fi is no surprise. Carriers and manufacturers have come to know Wi-Fi as a reliable, high-performance technology that's been independently validated in our renowned certification program,” said Edgar Figueroa, chief executive officer of the Wi-Fi Alliance. “The Wi-Fi CERTIFIED program helps ensure a seamless user experience when using Wi-Fi-enabled mobile phones.”

Recent data from ABI Research suggests that the growing trend will continue, and the research firm states that it expects for about half a billion Wi-Fi-enabled mobile phones to be shipped by 2014, and that 90 percent of all smartphones will include the technology. “In the age of data-centric multimedia phones, carriers have embraced Wi-Fi technology as a way to offload traffic from licensed spectrum and improve the consumer experience,” said Michael Morgan, industry analyst, ABI Research. “We are seeing handset users starting to demand Wi-Fi because of its higher data rate and indoor reception benefits.”

The Wi-Fi Alliance also notes that, given the fact that the first ten Wi-Fi CERTIFIED n handsets have been already announced, this next-generation Wi-Fi technology is expected to be used in more and more devices in the future. Not to mention that ABI Research expects for the technology to be predominant in the Wi-Fi segment. Users will enjoy a great deal of enhancements from Wi-Fi n, including greater effective ranges and improved coverage. Moreover, more efficient data transmissions over the technology will result in increased battery life, while the networks will offer greater capacity than previous forms of Wi-Fi.