Broadband market to be largely unaffected by Wi-Fi Direct

The introduction of Wi-Fi Direct is unlikely to have a massive impact on the wireless broadband market, according to a report from analyst In-Stat.

Wi-Fi Direct is an incoming technology by which devices can connect to one another without the need for a hot-spot or hub.

It is intended for the distribution of content such as video to home wireless televisions, mobile phones and portable PCs.

But Brian O'Rourke, research director at In-Stat, says wireless broadband is already achieving significant levels of market penetration.

"As a peer-to-peer networking technology, Wi-Fi Direct may be the most help in consumer electronics, where Wi-Fi's impact has been more modest than in the PC world," he suggests.

However, in terms of connecting computing devices - including peripherals - and in the mobile phones space, he points out the effective levels of market penetration already achieved by Wi-Fi that needs a central point of access.