Enterprise Communications Infrastructure

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Meet the Experts

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Brandon Butler

Senior Research Manager, Enterprise Networks

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Petr Jirovsky

Senior Research Director, Network and Telecommunications

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Rohit Mehra

Group Vice President, Network and Telecommunications



IDC's Enterprise Communications Infrastructure provides reliable worldwide market analysis data and forecasts needed to make business decisions in this evolving market. The research program outlines how trends in enterprise networks are consumed, influence communications and mobility, and enable the secure and efficient use of cloud-based applications and services. It also analyzes user requirements, technology trends, vendor strategies, and distribution channel activity. It provides the industry's most comprehensive worldwide coverage of enterprise networking and communications infrastructure evolution, deployment, and future forecasting.


Markets and Subjects Analyzed


  • Ethernet switches: Speed (GbE, multi-GbE 10GbE, and 25/40/50/100GbE+)
  • Routers: Small office/home office (SOHO), access/branch, core, and multifunction WAN gateways
  • Wireless LANs: Access devices; access points (dependent and independent); controllers, switches, and appliances; and the impact of emerging trends such as mobility, location services, and IoT
  • SD-WAN infrastructure and the continued adoption of SASE and SD-Branch architectures
  • AI-enhanced operations (AIOps) for network management, including advanced analytics, automation, and predictions for enterprise networks
  • Cloud-managed networking and flexible consumption/enterprise network-as-a-service (NaaS) models
  • DDI: Integrated management of DNS, DHCP, and IPAM
  • Network performance monitoring and management tools, including analytics and automation platforms
  • 6GHz Wi-Fi, including Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7
  • Unified wireless-first networking, inclusive of integrated management of Wi-Fi and public or private cellular networking leveraging LTE/4G/5G networks
  • Market-leading enterprise networking equipment suppliers and promising start-ups

Core Research


  • Worldwide Wireless LAN Market Share, Forecast, and Analysis
  • Worldwide Ethernet Switch Market Share, Forecast, and Analysis
  • Worldwide SD-WAN Infrastructure Market Share, Forecast, and Analysis
  • Worldwide DDI Market Share, Forecast, and Analysis
  • Five Key Trends Driving the Enterprise Networking Market
  • IDC MarketScapes: SD-WAN Infrastructure, SASE, and WLAN
  • Enterprise Network as a Service and Flexible Consumption Models for Enterprise Networking
  • Worldwide Enterprise Network Infrastructure Forecast and Analysis

In addition to the insight provided in this service, IDC may conduct research on specific topics or emerging market segments via research offerings that require additional IDC funding and client investment.


Key Questions Answered


  1. Which networking equipment markets and sectors are growing the fastest? Which will have the greatest future growth, and why?
  2. What is the impact of technologies such as wired and wireless LANs, SD-WANs, and SASE on purchases?
  3. What AIOps capabilities are most important to enterprise buyers, and how can suppliers differentiate themselves in the AI networking market?
  4. How will flexible consumption, subscription, and network-as-a-service models impact customer and partner buying patterns?
  5. How do merger, acquisition, and partnership actions affect the competitive landscape?
  6. How well are established and start-up suppliers positioned to increase market share?

Companies Covered