Faster and more reliable connectivity
The industry focused on improving the performance of Wi-Fi and the internet is known as the networking industry. This industry has developed significantly over the past few decades, with the advent of new technologies and the increasing demand for reliable and fast connectivity.
One of the key drivers of the development of the networking industry has been the increasing use of wireless networks, particularly Wi-Fi, in both homes and businesses. As a result, companies have been investing heavily in developing new wireless technologies, such as Wi-Fi 6 and 5G, to provide faster and more reliable connectivity.
Another important trend in the networking industry has been the rise of cloud computing and the increasing use of the internet for accessing and storing data. This has led to the development of new networking technologies, such as Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualization (NFV), which are designed to make networks more agile, flexible, and scalable.
Business models and industry leaders
Several business models can be found within the networking industry. The most traditional one is hardware sales, where companies design, manufacture and sell networking equipment such as routers, switches, and access points. Companies like Cisco, Juniper Networks, and Arista Networks generate most of their revenue through hardware sales, for instance.
Another common business model is software licensing, which allows customers to use certain features or functionalities of their networking equipment. For example, companies like F5 Networks and Citrix sell software licenses for load balancing and application delivery solutions.
Read more about Licensing companies in our Explore Category "Licensing."