The future wireless network standard 802.11n has been predicted to grow at a faster pace in the next five years. The new report from ABI Research shows that the sales of Access points that use 802.11n wireless environment would jump from the current 6 million to 88 million by the year 2013.

Currently, 802.11g which can offer up to 54 Mbps speeds, has been widely used by the wireless customers. The new wireless standard ‘n’ is yet to be approved by the IEE body as the manufacturers have not arrived at any consensus so far. However, the ‘n’ spec which can offer speeds up to 100 Mbps has been considered as the more reliable wireless technology by many users. It is believed that 802.11n will be approved in 2009 and is expected to replace the ‘g’ spec and become the next generation wireless standard in the coming years.

Meanwhile, some manufacturers offer wireless ‘n’ products which are not approved by the IEE standard. The consumers who buy these products may face compatibility issues when the final version of 802.11g hits the market.

Stan Schatt, the vice president of ABI Research commented:

"802.11n will become the default Wi-Fi technology of choice as equipment vendors include it in their new products. The real market growth will kick in when sufficient numbers of consumers have 802.11n capabilities embedded in their new laptop and desktop computers. We anticipate the greatest adoption to take place in the 2009-2010 timeframe.

While some larger organizations remain initially wary because 'n' is still a draft with ratification of the final standard expected next year, companies with workgroups that need 802.11n’s extra speed, range, and robustness may push ahead in a piecemeal fashion."