Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/5zshpl/wireless_local) has announced the addition of the "Wireless Local Area Networks - Networks of the Internet of Things Strategic Market Analysis 2012-2016" report to their offering.

This report examines the technologies, standards, applications, players and anticipated market growth for mid-range wireless networks. We also examine the factors that have contributed to WLANs success and future considerations for this segment of the Internet of Things (IoT).

The WLAN market is characterized by its relatively calm atmosphere and in stark contrast to the WPAN market, this cohesion has helped to drive innovation and dominance. Based on our analysis, Harbor predicts 802.11 enabled technology will grow from 1.4 billion shipments in 2012 to over 3.6 billion shipments by 2016. A few factors will contribute to this growth, but the innovative capacity and efforts of the IEEE 802.11 subcommittees b, g, n, and ac have helped to ensure the functionality and applicability of 802.11 technologies are consistently expanded.

Key related points from the analysis include:

- Internet Protocol directly to the device has become an integral element in advanced M2M connectivity and thanks in part to the rapid growth of smartphones and tablets and the more advanced IoT solutions that require streaming or large file transfers, IP will continue to define success and growth for the WLAN market

- Architects of 802.11 standard understood how a generalist' approach can help ensure stable market share - this has freed them up to expand the functionality of 802.11 technology, with 802.11s Mesh WiFi, for instance; certain companies can learn from their success

- Being backwards-compatible has greatly expanded the breadth of 802.11 and given investors and end-users comfort to know that the technology they choose to pursue will not be obsolete in the near future

- WLAN is currently actively encroaching on WPAN technologies; without increased interoperability, WLAN technology will ultimately win-out and relegate WPAN technologies to niche applications

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/5zshpl/wireless_local