WLAN Revenues Rise Despite Memory Shortages

Sarah Mitchell · 2026-06-04

Despite ongoing memory shortages, the wireless LAN market continues to show impressive growth. According to a recent report from Light Reading, WLAN revenues are climbing, driven by increased demand for high-speed connectivity in both enterprise and home environments. This trend is particularly notable because memory shortages have been a major bottleneck for many tech sectors, but WLAN appears to be bucking the trend. ### What's Driving the Growth? Several factors are fueling this rise. First, the shift to hybrid work models has pushed companies to invest in robust wireless infrastructure. Employees need reliable connections for video calls, file sharing, and cloud applications. Second, the proliferation of IoT devices, from smart thermostats to industrial sensors, is creating a massive need for wireless capacity. And third, the rollout of Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E is offering faster speeds and better efficiency, making upgrades compelling. - Hybrid work environments require stronger, more reliable WLAN networks. - IoT device adoption is skyrocketing, adding pressure on existing networks. - Wi-Fi 6 and 6E promise significant performance improvements. ### The Memory Shortage Paradox You'd think that memory shortages would slow down WLAN equipment production. After all, routers and access points rely on DRAM and NAND flash for buffering and storage. But manufacturers have found ways to adapt. They're using more efficient memory designs, prioritizing high-demand products, and passing some costs to consumers. The result? Prices are up slightly, but demand remains strong. ### What This Means for You If you're a network administrator or a business owner, this is good news. It means you can still get the equipment you need, even if you might pay a bit more. The key is to plan ahead and lock in orders early. For home users, the market is still competitive, so you can find good deals on Wi-Fi 6 routers if you shop around. ### Looking Ahead The WLAN market is expected to keep growing through 2026, memory shortages or not. The push for faster, more reliable wireless is too strong to be derailed. As memory prices stabilize, we might even see a drop in equipment costs. For now, the message is clear: wireless LAN is thriving, and it's not slowing down anytime soon.