In-Stat's Study Reveals Free Wi-Fi a Major Draw in Venue Choice

21 October 2010
Translate

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona - Availability of free Wi-Fi does influence venue choice.  According to In-Stat’s new Wi-Fi Hotspot research, nearly two-thirds of respondents indicated that free Wi-Fi influences their choice of venue.  An additional 31% indicated that free access may influence their choice, and just 5% said that it would have no influence over venue choice.

“Our research shows that while revenue may not always be directly gleaned from the hotspot offering, free Wi-Fi has a significant value in bringing customers to a venue,” says Amy Cravens, Market Analyst.  “It’s no wonder then that over 150 thousand café/retail venues have now deployed Wi-Fi hotspots, although not all of these are free.  That’s in addition to the 10s of thousands of travel related installations (hotels, airports, in-flight) worldwide.”

Some of the research findings include:

  • Worldwide annual hotspot connects, or sessions, will reach over 2 billion by the end of 2010 with annual hotspot connects anticipated to grow to over 11 billion by 2014.
  • Asia/Pacific will have about one quarter of the worldwide hotspot venues over the forecast period.
  • By 2012 handhelds are anticipated to account for half of hotspot connects.
  • The total worldwide hotspot market size will swell to 319,200 venues by year end.
Recent In-Stat research, Worldwide Wi-Fi Hotspot Usage Soars, but is Model Sustainable? (#IN1004769WS), examines the worldwide market for public Wi-Fi access in hotspots (airports, cafés/restaurants/bars, convention centers, hotels, retail, marinas, outdoor hospitality, and public areas). Included in the research is:
  • Worldwide market potential, usage, business models, and competitive analysis for the hotspot market
  • Worldwide venue forecasts segmented by region and type of venue.
  • Worldwide usage forecasts segmented by business versus consumer, by access device.
  • Equipment forecasts include a Wi-Fi AP forecast
  • All forecasts provide aggregate and annual deployment numbers and are segmented by region and venue type.
This research is part of In-Stat’s Wi-Fi Markets service which provides analysis of the market for Wi-Fi enabled equipment and attach rates in PCs, peripherals, consumer electronics, communications, and industrial applications, as well as services such as hotspots and in-flight broadband.

For more information, contact:

Rick Vogelei, Marketing Manager
Phone: 480-483-4476
Email: [email protected]

Amy Cravens, Market Analyst
Phone: 480-480-4451
Email: [email protected]

Comments