Wireless LAN sector set for comeback

Dell'Oro predicts 2010 sales will surpass 2008 levels as Ruckus eyes stock market debut

Wireless LAN outfit Ruckus is eyeing a stock market debut in 2011

Wireless LAN sales have been tipped to rebound in 2010 as yet another smaller firm in the sector unveils plans to go public.

According to Dell’Oro Group, wireless LAN revenues are set to reach $5.5bn (£3.5bn) this year, topping the previous high-water mark set in 2008.

The market watcher has slated the enterprise segment for particularly strong growth and predicts it will be worth more than the SOHO segment by 2014.

“The huge growth of Wi-Fi enabled devices, including cellular phones, e-book readers and netbook computers, will also drive WLAN equipment growth, as consumers and businesses look for ways to connect these devices,” said Loren Shalinsky, senior analyst of wireless LAN research at Dell’Oro Group.

Wireless LAN vendor Meru recently outlined its plans to float on the New York Stock Exchange, underlining its belief in the strength of the market.

Now rival outfit Ruckus Wireless has also thrown its hat in the IPO ring, unveiling plans to go public in the first half of 2011.

According to USA TODAY, the six-year-old outfit is already inching towards filing S-1 regulatory documents and aims to grow sales to $200m by 2012, up from $60m last year.