Wi-Fi Services Experience Rapid Growth with Emergence of Wi-Fi Enabled Smartphones

Strategic Insights -

The increasing demand for mobile data access has led to the rapid growth of Wi-Fi services, particularly with the proliferation of Wi-Fi enabled smartphones. As a result, Tier 1 carriers are showing renewed interest in the technology. AT&T's Wi-Fi network, the largest in the US, has seen a significant increase in connections, with nearly 15 million in the second quarter of 2009, representing a 41% rise from the previous quarter.

Key Takeaways:

  • AT&T's Wi-Fi network has exceeded 20,000 hotspots in the US, making it the largest in the country.
  • The company's network had nearly 15 million Wi-Fi connections in the second quarter of 2009, a 41% increase from the first quarter.
  • Unlimited Wi-Fi access is a key differentiator for AT&T, with David Christopher, chief marketing officer at AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets, stating that it has resulted in twice the number of smartphone customers opting for the AT&T mobile service compared to other carriers.
  • Cablevision Systems Corp. reports that the number of iPhones and iPods with Wi-Fi function sold by Apple has exceeded 40 million.
  • Certain BlackBerry smartphone models can function over Wi-Fi networks provided by cellular service providers like Sprint, T-Mobile, and AT&T.
  • Wi-Fi enabled smartphones are driving the growth of Wi-Fi services, with the technology emerging as an essential feature for smartphones.

Statistics:

  • 15 million: The number of Wi-Fi connections provided by AT&T's network in the second quarter of 2009.
  • 41%: The increase in Wi-Fi connections on AT&T's network from the first quarter to the second quarter of 2009.
  • 20,000+: The number of hotspots in AT&T's Wi-Fi network in the US.
  • 40 million+: The number of iPhones and iPods with Wi-Fi function sold by Apple, according to Cablevision Systems Corp.

Sources:

  • Internet Telephony--Nov 2009 (v12 n11 p56)
  • AT&T Inc
  • AT&T Mobility LLC
  • Cablevision Systems Corp
  • Research In Motion Ltd (RIM)
  • Sprint Nextel Corp
  • T-Mobile USA Inc
  • Wi-Fi Alliance