STRONG GROWTH PROJECTED IN WIFI VOIP HANDSET MARKET.

Worldwide WiFi VoIP handset revenue totaled $54.7 million in 2004 and units totaled 143,000, and strong growth is expected at least through 2009 as steady adoption of voice over WiFi continues, according to Infonetics Research's latest report, WiFi Phones Biannual Worldwide Market Size and Forecast.

Worldwide dual-mode WiFi/cellular handset revenue hit $6.7 million in 2004, the report said. WiFi capability will eventually become a common feature in cell phones, just as it is becoming standard in laptops today.

WiFi VoIP handsets represent a small market currently, but one with great potential. In logistics and healthcare verticals in particular, VoWLAN is already gaining momentum and will become widespread throughout the enterprise as VoIP and wireless LAN adoption continue.

There is potential for enormous growth in the consumer space, as VoIP services and wireless gateways are bundled with a broadband connection. More dual-mode WiFi/cellular handsets will reach the market, enabling enterprise users to roam across 3G networks, home networks, corporate wireless LANs, and WiFi hotspots.

"Some challenges remain, such as QoS, roaming across different wireless platforms, and the relatively short range of WiFi signals, but with vendors currently addressing these issues, it is likely we'll be at the foot of the adoption bell-curve by mid-2006," said Richard Webb of Infonetics Research, author of the report.

The WiFi Phones report tracks VoIP handsets with integrated WiFi (802.11) functionality and dual-mode WiFi/cellular handsets, and provides 2004 market size totals, annual revenue and unit forecasts through 2009, and analysis of the WiFi phone market for all regions (worldwide, North America, EMEA, Asia Pacific, and CALA).

For the table of contents, log on to http://www.info.infonetics.com. For sales, contact Larry Howard, vice president, at larry@infonetics.com or 408/583-3335.

Infonetics Research is an international market research and consulting firm specializing in data networking and telecom. We provide a complete view of the market through constant interaction with equipment manufacturers, service providers, end-users, chip and component manufacturers, sales channels, and the financial community. We offer quarterly market share and forecasting, end-user and service provider survey research, and service provider capex analysis.

For more information, visit http://www.infonetics.com.