SMB Wireless LAN Spending Soars


Small business in the United States spent 50% more during 2003 on wireless LAN solutions, compared to 2002. Total expenditures in 2003 were $.53 Billion (USD). That’s according to a study by AMI Partners, a market research firm focusing on the small and medium business market in the IT and telecommunications industries.

A key driver of this growth is that small businesses want to implement solutions to enhance the scalability of their networks, and keep pace with emerging technologies. In particular, small businesses are using wireless LANs to enhance and extend the functionality of their regular office LANs. Falling equipment prices have also helped drive wireless LAN adoption.

This dramatic increase in wireless LAN expenditures by small businesses came even as the weak economy took its toll, with 25% of small businesses reporting declining revenues last year. Small businesses are very optimistic for 2004, though, with 74% expecting increased revenues this year. That sense of optimism will keep wireless network implementations a hot trend among small businesses in 2004.

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Anita Campbell Anita Campbell is the Founder, CEO and Publisher of Small Business Trends and has been following trends in small businesses since 2003. She is the owner of BizSugar, a social media site for small businesses.

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