Equipment Vendors: It’s Time to Seize Wi-Fi’s “Android Moment”

Why Vertically Integrated WiFi Equipment Vendors Should Consider Adapt to a Future Where Openness and Multi-Vendor Freedom Outshine Locked-In Ecosystems

We’ve all seen how the smartphone landscape evolved into “Apple vs. Android.”

Apple’s vertically integrated model brought extraordinary user experiences—but it also meant strict control over hardware and software. Meanwhile, Android welcomed diverse manufacturers into a shared operating system, creating a vast ecosystem that accelerated innovation and gave consumers more choices.

Wi-Fi is now at a similar crossroads. With Wi-Fi 6 and 7 hardware offering speeds most users can’t fully exploit, raw throughput is no longer the sole differentiator. MSPs and enterprises increasingly demand freedom from single-vendor lock-in—and many equipment vendors now face a strategic question: Double down on a fully proprietary stack or adapt to a multi-vendor “Android-like” approach.

The Market Reality

A recent MSP CEO survey by Maravedis, LLC reveals:

• 72% of MSPs feel locked into a single vendor.

• Over 60% see rising complexity and cost.

• 37% struggle to find (and afford) the skilled developers required to build or maintain their single pane of glass.

In other words, the status quo often leaves MSPs wrestling with high overhead, forced migrations, or closed ecosystems. While some end customers still prefer the “Apple-like,” all-in-one simplicity, many others crave the flexibility to mix and match hardware from different vendors.

Why Openness Doesn’t Mean Losing Your Identity

A common misconception is that adopting an “open” approach would flatten or “normalize” your product’s distinguishing features. That’s not the case. Think of a universal operating system for Wi-Fi—akin to Android—that can integrate your proprietary APIs and functionalities without diminishing your competitive advantages. Each vendor’s unique capabilities (radio tuning, security features, analytics, etc.) remain intact and accessible. But from the MSP’s perspective, the operational tasks—deployment, monitoring, automation—become unified and simplified.

A common misconception is that adopting an “open” approach would flatten or “normalize” your product’s distinguishing features. That’s not the case.

This approach doesn’t force you to abandon your tightly integrated solution for customers who want a single-brand experience. Instead, it gives you an additional path: your Wi-Fi 6/7 hardware, connected to a multi-vendor orchestration layer, ensuring you can serve customers who prize flexibility just as effectively as those who prefer the “all-in-one” environment.

The Business Opportunity for Equipment Vendors

1. Expanded Market Reach

By enabling your platform to work seamlessly in multi-vendor settings, you address a broader audience—MSPs who would otherwise skip your hardware to avoid lock-in. You’re no longer limited to only “pure-brand” deployments.

2. Deeper MSP Loyalty

MSPs juggling multiple brands often seek a consistent way to manage them all. Being “open-friendly” positions you as an ally, not an obstacle. That builds trust and can reduce churn as customers scale or switch vendors.

3. Future-Proofing

Even if your closed ecosystem remains profitable, market dynamics are shifting toward more open solutions. By “porting” your capabilities to a universal Wi-Fi OS, you hedge your bets and stay relevant if the market tilts further toward multi-vendor deployments.

4. Retain (and Showcase) Your Unique Value

A universal management layer doesn’t take away your “secret sauce.” On the contrary, it provides a broader stage to display specialized features. MSPs who see how seamlessly your brand’s advanced features run within a broader orchestration layer may be more inclined to adopt your hardware.

A Realistic “Android Moment”

Not every vendor has the resources—or market dominance—of an “Apple.” Adopting a universal platform approach isn’t about conceding defeat; it’s about meeting the needs of an evolving ecosystem

It’s acknowledging that speed alone is no longer the deciding factor for most customers; operational simplicity, automation, reliability, and the ability to blend hardware from different vendors are what MSPs genuinely value

Harmonizing Without Homogenizing

This next evolution of Wi-Fi shouldn’t homogenize vendor offerings. Each vendor can maintain its look, feel, and feature set while letting MSPs unify tasks like monitoring, support tickets, troubleshooting, and firmware upgrades. Think of it as a standardized interface for daily operations with ample room for brand-specific enhancements.

Ultimately, a truly “open” approach benefits all parties:

• Vendors access a more significant market slice.

• MSPs reduce overhead, complexity, and the need for specialized dev teams.

• End-users get more reliable, consistent Wi-Fi experiences—often at a lower cost.

Conclusion: An Invitation to Collaborate

It’s time for the Wi-Fi industry to embrace its “Android moment.” You can preserve your integrated solution for customers who want it while offering a multi-vendor–a friendly path that addresses the realities of today’s market. By harmonizing the operational, support, and management workflows, you free MSPs to pick the proper hardware for every environment without fear of lock-in or skyrocketing complexity.

The upshot: Equipment vendors who embrace openness now will likely become the long-term winners. As complexity and demand rise, MSPs will gravitate toward vendors that solve the “any vendor, same interface” challenge—without sacrificing unique features or brand identity.

Suppose you’re ready to explore how a universal Wi-Fi OS can preserve your product’s advantages while delivering an open, automated, MSP-friendly experience. In that case, we welcome you to join this journey. Together, we can spark faster growth and better outcomes for the entire ecosystem.

About the Author

Magnus Johansson is passionate about next-generation Wi-Fi solutions that marry vendor-specific innovation with open, multi-vendor orchestration. By focusing on strategic partnerships and technology breakthroughs, they aim to create a more inclusive, flexible Wi-Fi landscape—one that meets the evolving needs of MSPs everywhere.