D-Link takes lead in Wireless-N market

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Figures released today reveal that D-Link is surging ahead in the market for wireless LAN products based on draft 802.11n, the as-yet unconfirmed specification for next generation fast wireless standard.

The new standard, when finally ratified, will enable businesses and consumers to move beyond standard wired networks without sacrificing significant levels of bandwidth, and is already making huge inroads into both business and consumer envirnments in its draft form.

According to analyst firm In-Stat, D-Link overtook Linksys for Wireless-N in the fourth quarter of last year, shipping 584,000 units, giving it 33 per cent market share. Linksys followed with 28.4 per cent share, Belkin with 17 per cent and Netgear trailed with 13.2 per cent.

"D-Link has emerged as the leader in shipping Draft 802.11n products, a clear indication that the market is confident with the technology that it has to offer," said Norm Bogen, director of networking with In-Stat, a research firm serving the computer and networking industries.

"Despite the fact that 802.11n is still in the draft phase, the market has clearly adopted the technology as sales worldwide are increasing steadily with more and more users enjoying the increased speeds and range that the Draft 11n products deliver to home and small business networks."

While the current wireless standard, 802.11g, was ratified in 2003, the final version of 802.11n has yet to be approved by the IEEE working group, even though the standard has been worked on since 2004. According to the official working group timeline, the standard is not expected to be finalised until June 2009.

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