Wi-Fi Alliance, the global non-profit industry association with more than 300 member companies devoted to promoting the growth of WLANs announced the pre-release of the formal study of the Wi-Fi industry in India titled "The Future of Wi-Fi in India: Opportunities and Challenges".

The study, sponsored by Wi-Fi Alliance and carried out by Tonse Telecom, a Bangalore based telecom research, consulting and market analysis firm, puts together a snapshot of the industry, the ecosystem, its composition, challenges and opportunities.

According to the report the overall Indian Wi-Fi market (including WLAN hardware, systems integration and software services but not including embedded devices, laptops) is predicted to grow from the current $41.6 million to exceed $744 million by 2012 (a CAGR of 61.4%).

Tonse believes that all the necessary market drivers are in place to propel the growth, development and deployment of Wi-Fi into a mainstream technology across the country. As broadband wireless access grows, the WLAN network gear sector is projected to exceed $275 million by 2011-2012 from the current level of $23.1 million.

The report looks at what is coming ahead, how Wi-Fi and other technologies will co-exist, the opportunities and challenges moving forward. The full report will be available February first week.

Commenting on the launch of the report, Frank Hanzlik, MD, Wi-Fi Alliance said, "With the launch of this detailed study we have taken yet another major step towards a focused long-term thrust which will catapult India into a globally pre-eminent position in the Wi-Fi industry."