Qualcomm is releasing new Wi-Fi chips for the IoT

Communication Tech

(BI Intelligence)

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Chipmaker Qualcomm is looking to capitalize on the growing number of connected devices within the home by releasing a new Wi-Fi technology package aimed at addressing home network congestion issues, according to the San Diego Union Tribune.

With the growth of the IoT, companies are looking to provide consistent service on home networks that were not designed to handle such high numbers of connected devices. The new chip standard, 802.11ax, is designed to help cope with that issue.

The number of IoT devices is growing steadily. BI Intelligence forecasts that there will be more than 22 billion by 2021. While the majority of these devices will be used in enterprise solutions, the number of consumer IoT devices will continue to rise as well, reaching into the billions. Combined with the growing number of mobile devices, home networks will see more devices trying to connect and transmit or receive data.

Additionally, BI Intelligence found that 80% of IoT service providers use Wi-Fi in their solutions, with only a limited number using more specialized IoT network protocols like ZigBee or Z-Wave. In the home, we expect that number to likely be even higher, as the infrastructure for Wi-Fi connections already exists and consumers can simply connect devices to their existing networks.

Companies designing IoT devices need to be mindful of the ease of network integration. In both consumer and enterprise situations, those making the decision to install connected devices will want to minimize the hassle associated with that installation. Using Wi-Fi may be one way to reduce the difficulties of moving to new devices, sacrificing some potential efficiency for the sake of convenience.

To facilitate this sort of decision, Qualcomm and other chip makers are working to make Wi-Fi more suited for the IoT through steps like the introduction of the 802.11ax standard, creating the kind of network that can support the number of devices that will be coming over the next few years.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is disrupting businesses, governments, and consumers and transforming how they interact with the world. Companies are going to spend almost $5 trillion on the IoT in the next five years — and the proliferation of connected devices and massive increase in data has started an analytical revolution.

To gain insight into this emerging trend, BI Intelligence conducted an exclusive Global IoT Executive Survey on the impact of the IoT on companies around the world. The study included over 500 respondents from a wide array of industries, including manufacturing, technology, and finance, with significant numbers of C-suite and director-level respondents.

Peter Newman, research analyst for BI Intelligence, Business Insider's premium research service, has conducted an exclusive study with in-depth research into the field and created a detailed report on the IoT that describes the components that make up IoT ecosystem. We size the IoT market in terms of device installations and investment through 2021. And we examine the importance of IoT providers, the challenges they face, and what they do with the data they collect. Finally, we take a look at the opportunities, challenges, and barriers related to mass adoption of IoT devices among consumers, governments, and enterprises.

Here are some key takeaways from the report:

• We project that there will be a total of 22.5 billion IoT devices in 2021, up from 6.6 billion in 2016.

• We forecast there will be $4.8 trillion in aggregate IoT investment between 2016 and 2021.

• It highlights the opinions and experiences of IoT decision-makers on topics that include: drivers for adoption; major challenges and pain points; stages of adoption, deployment, and maturity of IoT implementations; investment in and utilization of devices, platforms, and services; the decision-making process; and forward- looking plans.

In full, the report:

• Provides a primer on the basics of the IoT ecosystem

• Offers forecasts for the IoT moving forward and highlights areas of interest in the coming years

• Looks at who is and is not adopting the IoT, and why

• Highlights drivers and challenges facing companies implementing IoT solutions

To get your copy of this invaluable guide to the IoT, choose one of these options:

1. Subscribe to an ALL-ACCESS Membership with BI Intelligence and gain immediate access to this report AND over 100 other expertly researched deep-dive reports, subscriptions to all of our daily newsletters, and much more. >> START A MEMBERSHIP

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The choice is yours. But however you decide to acquire this report, you’ve given yourself a powerful advantage in your understanding of the IoT.

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