Wireless Mesh Nets Said Set To Boom

With wireless hot zones beginning to take hold in North American municipalities, wireless mesh network infrastructure is likewise beginning to accelerate, according to a report from market researchers In-Stat.

In-Stat reported Monday that it expects the mesh access point market to boom from $33.5 million in 2004 to $974.3 million in 2009.

“Vendors are reporting a sharp increase in both inquiries and Requests for Proposals, enough to make them highly optimistic for the future of the market,” said Norm Bogen, an In-Stat research director, in a statement. “They are finding interest from public safety and municipal governments, carriers such as Wireless ISPs, the security market, and for an expanding range of applications.”

Several variations of wireless nets capable of delivering Wi-Fi have been installed in recent months in such locales as Rio Rancho, New Mexico and Spokane, Washington.

In-Stat said the wireless mesh networks are a “potentially disruptive technology” and have the potential to extend the reach of wireless technologies including Wi-Fi, WiMAX and Ultra-Wideband.