Network client market to grow to $5.5 billion by 2005

June 8, 2001 According to Cahners In-Stat Group (www.instat.com), the worldwide network client market will grow from $3.1 billion in 2001 to $5.5 billion in 2005. The high-tech market research firm reports that growth will be spurred by emerging technologies such as Gigabit Ethernet. "The higher bandwidth demands in today's server environments has resulted in strong growth for Gigabit Ethernet technologies," said Mike Wolf, director of enterprise and residential communications for In-Stat. "In time, we will see a need for higher speeds at the desktop, and the lower costs of Gigabit Ethernet over copper will mean the eventual transition of this technology to the very ends of the local area network (LAN)."

Wireless connectivity will also be a growth driver in the network client market in coming years. The strong desire for wireless LAN connections on both laptops as well as new form factor devices such as residential gateways will result in robust volume shipments for technologies such as 802.11b and newer technologies in the WLAN space such as 802.11a.

The report, "Network Clients Market: Getting Fast and Mobile," includes market shares for all wired NICs, LAN on motherboard, and wireless LAN NICs. It examines the trends in the network client market and forecasts the different market segments through 2005. To purchase this report, or for more information, visit the firm's web site.