SAN BRUNO, CA--(Marketwire - April 21, 2010) - Devicescape, the leader in Easy WiFi, unveiled results from its first quarter 2010 WiFi Report, revealing new details relating to WiFi preferences and trends from nearly 500 survey respondents around the world. Conducted by SurveyMonkey and sponsored by Devicescape, the survey queried a cross-section of Devicescape's members, a group that includes a variety of professionals and students.
Key findings from the Q1 2010 "Devicescape WiFi Report" showed:
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Eighty-three percent of respondents see a substantial rise in non-traditional WiFi-enabled devices such as gaming, cameras and eReaders. The majority of users (95 percent) think device manufacturers should provide even more WiFi-enabled devices.
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The Apple iPad is the new "must have" device, with 59 percent of respondents wanting one (the timing of the survey, just prior to the iPad launch, may have been a strong influencer); WiFi-enabled digital cameras came in second at 32 percent.
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More than 50 percent of respondents connect to WiFi daily, with 28 percent connecting on average many times a day.
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Cafés are the most widely used hotspots outside of the home or office at 78 percent, with hotels coming in second (52 percent) and airports third (47 percent). These statistics point a strong preference for mobile WiFi.
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While 67 percent of respondents believe an Internet connection is faster with WiFi, both 3G and WiFi remain absolutely necessary for people on the go: 92 percent of respondents use it for Internet browsing; 90 percent for e-mail; 38 percent for watching videos; and 31 percent for VoIP/Skype use.
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More than 90 percent of respondents stated the next device they would like to buy should offer free access and service to WiFi hotspots.
People on the go: WiFi use outside the home and office is on the rise
In the Q1 2009 Devicescape WiFi Report, hotels were the most commonly used WiFi hotspot locations outside the home. This quarter, cafés have overtaken hotels as the number one hotspot, with a whopping 78 percent of respondents indicating so. Hotels followed second at 52 percent, while airports came in third at 47 percent.
While on the go, free WiFi continues to be a key trend. When asked what type of WiFi service respondents use outside of the home or office, free WiFi at cafés remained steadfast in its lead at 76 percent. WiFi provided for free as part of a cell phone plan came in second at 53 percent.
Also of note was the fact that daily use has jumped to more than 54 percent, with 28 percent of those users connecting to WiFi on average "many times a day." Internet browsing and e-mail continue to lead the pack in popular applications while on the road. However, VoIP, watching video and podcasts are on the rise. As more and more people are on the move, the need for WiFi access will only continue.
WiFi and 3G as friends, not foes: Consumers want both
Past surveys have indicated an ongoing trend: Consumers want devices with both WiFi and 3G capabilities built into their products. In the Q1 2009 Devicescape WiFi Report, the survey asked if device manufacturers should build WiFi into their consumer devices. An overwhelming majority of respondents (96 percent) stated yes.
In this report, one year later, WiFi continues to be a driving force in purchase decisions. Not only are people more willing to make a purchase decision based on built-in WiFi (90 percent), they continue to expect the manufacturers to provide them with WiFi as well as 3G (95 percent) capabilities. Moreover, when asked specifically about new devices such as the iPad coming on the market with 3G and WiFi, 64 percent of respondents stated they would use both 3G and WiFi within the device.
Service plans in demand: While people want free WiFi, they are willing to pay for WiFi and 3G service plans
The Devicescape WiFi Report has illustrated time and again that many people want free WiFi. However, while they claim to want WiFi and Internet access for free, they simultaneously state they are willing to pay for additional service plans. Specifically, 25 percent will pay up to $5 a month for 3G access, while 30 percent will pay up to $10 a month. Twenty-two percent of respondents will also pay up to $5 for a WiFi service plan, while nineteen percent will pay up to $10 a month for the same plan.
Now, if the device already includes a WiFi service plan such as the Easy WiFi Network, which provides free access and service to hundreds of thousands of WiFi hotspots worldwide, 90 percent of respondents are more likely to buy the product and 64 percent stated they would be less likely to need an additional service plan.
"Droid, eReaders, iPhone, iPod touch and now the iPad have changed the way people consume information. We are now 'on the go,' and we want our connectivity outside the home -- whether we're in a café, a hotel, an airport or a park. We expect manufacturers to deliver connectivity and we want it in any form -- 3G or WiFi," said Dave Fraser, CEO of Devicescape. "Through the Devicescape WiFi Report we are able to find what consumers want and demand. It is now up to the device manufacturers and service providers to listen and make it happen."
Devicescape will continue to deliver information about WiFi usage and consumer behavior quarterly via the "Devicescape WiFi Report." Devicescape encourages the public to submit questions for future surveys by sending them to: DevicescapeWiFiReport@devicescape.com.
About Devicescape
Devicescape, a leading provider of Easy WiFi, works with device manufacturers and service providers across the globe. One of the company's key goals is to make WiFi easy to access for the end user. Device leaders such as RIM and Nokia, and service providers such as Deutsche Telekom, The Cloud, Trustive and Wi2 turned to Devicescape for its Easy WiFi technology. By embedding its Devicescape Easy WiFi into smartphones, PCs and other devices, users can easily, seamlessly and securely access WiFi networks.
Contact Information:
Media Contact:
Kathleen Shanahan
BOCA Communications
415-570-1405
kathleen@bocacommunications.com