While it sounds logical to say that first wave IEEE 802.11ac 80 MHz devices provide performance on par with structured cabling systems because they can theoretically deliver a maximum throughput of 1.3 Gb/s, there are two main reasons why this statement is inaccurate.  The first is that, since wireless is a shared network, the maximum available bandwidth is actually split between multiple users.  Keeping in mind that one 802.11ac access point (AP) can serve 30 to 60 clients, it’s easy to see that there is substantial opportunity for network slow time due to lack of bandwidth depending on user needs at any given time.  This is in significant contrast to a 1000BASE-T network, where each user has the full 1 Gb/s bandwidth available at all times.  The second reason why this statement is problematic is that total bandwidth is specified differently for wired versus wireless systems.  For example, since 1000BASE-T transmits in full-duplex (transmitting and receiving over the same cable pairs at the same time), it is capable of operating at a maximum rate of 1 Gb/s in the upstream direction and 1 Gb/s in the downstream direction.  This is different from wireless networks, which transmit in half-duplex and whose stated bandwidth is an indication of throughput in both directions combined.

The major shortcoming of an all-wireless data network is the high likelihood of periodic network slow down and saturation due to number of users and the applications in use.  The experience of Wi-Fi connections on an airplane comes to mind; whereby the internet provider has to throttle speed and  restrict streaming applications to be able to provide a stable, albeit slow, connection to all users.  A better practice is to supplement a traditional structured cabling network with a wireless network.  The advantages of this approach include improved reliability, dedicated access and improved performance for specific users and locations, and flexibility to support future IP-services such as those required by smart building or security applications.

So, the bottom line is that, unless a user is connected to a dedicated (i.e. there are no other users on the wireless network!) second wave 802.11ac AP operating at greater than 2 Gb/s, he will not experience speed and network accessibility even comparable to a 1000BASE-T structured cabling  network.  And, given that market statistics show that enterprises are finally migrating to 10GBASE-T in the work area, it is extremely unlikely that wireless networks will make cabled networks obsolete anytime soon.