The number of hotspots providing public wireless LAN access
continues to grow globally and more people are using them, reports
In-Stat
. But access revenues do not appear to be keeping up with the growth in use, the high-tech market research firm says.
Recent research by In-Stat found the following:
- According to an In-Stat consumer survey, people are increasingly using hotspots for personal reasons.
-
Survey respondents are showing an increased reluctance to pay for
hotspot access. Nearly 50% of respondents said they would only use a
free hotspot.
- Access revenues will start to decline due to increased competition and users' reluctance to pay.
"Because
of this trend, hotspot operators are turning to other methods to
generate revenues," says Daryl Schoolar, In-Stat analyst. "Operators
have started bundling hotspot access with other services, such as fixed
and mobile broadband. This way, consumers can access hotspots without
paying a separate fee, and operators can generate some access revenue
by bundling the cost of the service into a bigger service package that
consumers are willing to purchase."
Recent In-Stat research, 2008 Global Hotspot Market--A Time of Change and Growth
(rovides end-user data on how and where the service is used and users'
willingness to pay for hotspot services.
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