Aruba price drop raises WLAN hopes

Jess Thompson-Hughes: Before, Aruba was too expensive for the education sector

Resellers are hopeful that a price slash at Aruba Networks could kick-start wider adoption of 802.11n wireless technology among schools.

The wireless LAN vendor today launched a new range of value-priced access points starting at £667 for its AP-105. The price of its top-of-the-line AP-124 and AP-125 products has been cut to £955.

With the 802.11n standard having recently been ratified, cost was arguably the final obstacle standing in the way of wider take-up of the technology, particularly in the education sector.

Jess Thompson-Hughes, managing director of Aruba Platinum partner React Technologies, said the wireless channel had been crying out for a price cut from Aruba.

“Before, Aruba was too expensive for the education sector and we were selling Ruckus and Motorola instead," he said. "We had been quoting schools about £0.5m [on Aruba deals] and now we can quote them sub-£200,000.

“Now schools have no reason not to go for it.”

Paul DeBeasi, senior analyst at Burton Group, said: “With the recent ratification of the 802.11n standard and growing interest in replacing Ethernet networks with wireless solutions, the time for 802.11n has come at last.

“Given the mobility and performance benefits to be gained by moving to 802.11n, the last remaining barrier to widespread adoption is price.”