This IDC study examines the U.S. market for WLAN equipment by vertical industry. Competition within the WLAN equipment market has increased pricing pressure and eroded profitability. Vendors and service providers competing in this market are challenged to identify vertical market opportunities and cultivate best practices to address industry-specific demands. In this study, IDC analyzes each of the 16 vertical markets, providing market size and growth over the five-year forecast period, a discussion of current trends, and an indication of which trends will drive WLAN equipment adoption in the future.

"The WLAN equipment market opportunity by vertical industry is dependent on both the quantity of spending and the rate of growth. The communications/media and government industries are the largest consumers of WLAN equipment, but sheer size is not indicative of the entire opportunity. The rate at which that market will grow over the forecast period implies the potential rate of return on market investment. IDC anticipates that the highest levels of growth will be found within the professional services, personal services, and financial service industries." ? Dan Corsetti, IDC senior analyst, Vertical Markets