Significant Growth in Global Wi-Fi Shipments Driven by U.S. Demand Before Tariffs

Wi-Fi Shipments Experience Remarkable Growth Amidst Uncertainties

The past year has been a turbulent time for the Wi-Fi equipment market. Following a sluggish second half of 2024, the industry faced renewed optimism in 2025, as calmer waters appeared to settle the tumultuous conditions that had plagued the sector since early 2020. This optimism, however, was dramatically challenged in the first half of 2025.

Year in Review: From Sluggishness to Surge

In late 2024, many industry stakeholders anticipated a rebound driven by the hardware refresh cycles typical for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and enterprises, alongside the impending rollout of Wi-Fi 7. However, this hopeful outlook was quickly overshadowed by looming tariff threats and the deterioration of established trading relationships, introducing a fresh wave of uncertainty into the market. As panic began to spread, companies scrambled to order new equipment in advance of the expected tariff increases, leading to a notable surge in shipments.

According to a recent report by ABI Research, the total shipments of Wi-Fi equipment into the North American market soared by a remarkable 38.3% quarter-over-quarter in Q2 2025. This surge was primarily observed in the U.S. as major tier 1 ISPs such as AT&T and Comcast prepared for Wi-Fi 7 deployments.

The Challenges Ahead

Despite the impressive shipment spike, industry experts caution that this growth may not represent a sustainable trend. Andrew Spivey, Principal Analyst at ABI Research, remarked, "While the increase in shipments is celebrated, we must consider that much of this rise is due to the pulling-forward of demand rather than an actual creation of new demand. Additionally, the threat of further tariffs lurks, casting a shadow over future market stability."

As the world heads toward the end of the decade, a new wave of innovation is on the horizon with the anticipated introduction of Wi-Fi 8. Expected to hit the market soon, initial prototypes are set to emerge by the end of 2026, with projections estimating shipments will climb from around 0.4 million units in 2027 to a staggering 81.4 million by 2030. Unlike its predecessors, Wi-Fi 8 is designed to enhance reliability significantly, elevating the user experience beyond mere speed metrics.

Shifting Market Strategies

However, successfully promoting this innovative technology will demand a substantial shift in marketing strategies within the Wi-Fi industry. Spivey continues, "For Wi-Fi 8 to gain traction, industry players must reorient themselves toward clear and transparent benchmarks that highlight the technology's reliability benefits. Additionally, they will need to effectively campaign the Multi-Access Point Coordination feature, which will be essential in promoting user engagement."

In summary, while the Wi-Fi equipment market experiences significant changes driven by tariffs and competitive pressure, there is a pronounced need for strategic foresight to maintain the momentum. Companies must balance the current demand surge with the ongoing admonition of trade volatility, preparing for the future with an eye on innovation like never before.