-- An overwhelming number of respondents (96 percent) expect device
manufacturers to build Wi-Fi into devices such as cell phones, digital
cameras and portable gaming devices.
-- 93 percent of respondents stated they will make a buying decision
based on built-in Wi-Fi.
-- 90 percent of respondents make hotel and travel decisions based on the
availability of Wi-Fi, and 96 percent expect it to be free.
-- 72 percent of respondents are more likely to become tenants at
apartment complexes that offer free Wi-Fi.
-- 84 percent of users insist on hassle-free access to Wi-Fi, meaning no
PIN or password.
-- Intelligence is expected: 85 percent of people want their device to
automatically switch between Wi-Fi and 3G networks based on what is best
for the application.
-- Free Wi-Fi is a "must have" for 53 percent of respondents.
-- 98 percent of respondents log onto Wi-Fi daily; 57 percent of those
log on more than five times a day.
-- Wi-Fi users are willing to share their own networks if there is
reciprocity, especially if there is some form of rating system in place.
Demand for services and device connectivity propels Wi-Fi ubiquity
Many findings from this quarter's survey parallel last quarter's -- a
steady increase in the demand for Wi-Fi-enabled devices, continued
expectations for manufacturers to build Wi-Fi into next-generation devices,
and the ability for seamless transitions between Wi-Fi and 3G networks as
needed. This quarter's survey findings also yielded insight into
interesting new trends. Demand for services embedded onto chips and devices
-- enabling technical assistance at hotspots, for example -- is on the
rise. Wi-Fi connection for gaming devices and media players is following
suit, with 48 percent of users connecting weekly.
"The smartphone and other intelligent devices have changed the game for
device manufacturers and service providers alike. The volume of content
downloaded, uploaded or streamed is increasing dramatically, as are demands
for services like remote technical support," said John Tennant, Director of
Strategic Initiatives, Intel Corporation. "Consequently, consumers are
demanding easy and immediate access to Wi-Fi networks. We can only expect
this demand to intensify as more and more services are developed and
delivered."
A free "Wi-Fi Community" is a possibility
Also of note is the sense of community that Wi-Fi users seem to feel. Sixty
percent of respondents would be willing to share their network with other
Devicescape members, presumably to perpetuate Wi-Fi usage and ensure
municipal hotspot availability. While the members will share their networks
they demand some form of security much like the eBay user rating or the
ability to block certain users.
Wi-Fi drives purchase decisions
From choosing next-generation consumer devices to what hotel to stay at and
even what apartment complex to become a tenant, Wi-Fi drives purchasing
decisions. An overwhelming number of survey respondents stated that Wi-Fi
within a product will make or break their purchase decision. As Wi-Fi
relates to travel, 90 percent of respondents expect Wi-Fi within their
hotel. Furthermore, they will determine their next stay based on their
Wi-Fi experience. More than 75% of respondents stated if they had a bad
Wi-Fi experience, they would not be repeat customers.
"Whether for work, home, or travel, people demand Wi-Fi and are willing to
make purchase decisions based on the availability of Wi-Fi," said Sanjit
Biswas, CEO of Meraki. "Businesses which provide or enable high quality
Wi-Fi access will increasingly gain new customers and grow loyalty from
their existing customers and employees. In today's challenging times,
Wi-Fi can be a great tool to grow and defend your business."
Continued barrier to Wi-Fi adoption
Despite the steady demand for Wi-Fi, many respondents still cite
connectivity issues as a barrier to widespread adoption. For example, the
survey reveals that when laptops failed to work remotely, the cause was
most often due to the network connection (63 percent), as opposed to
operating system issues (24 percent) or problems with the device itself (13
percent). Again, this data point mirrors last quarter's findings, which
underscore the need for easy setup and seamless connectivity now that Wi-Fi
is steadily gaining popularity.
"We see the Devicescape Wi-Fi Report as an invaluable tool to gather vital
information from the most important people in the market -- the Wi-Fi user
base itself," said
Dave Fraser, Devicescape CEO. "By tapping into the opinions and usage
habits of the Wi-Fi user base, we can help address critical issues and move
toward a better Wi-Fi experience."
This is Devicescape's second report detailing consumer attitudes toward
Wi-Fi and other high-bandwidth, wireless technologies. Devicescape will
continue to deliver information about Wi-Fi usage and consumer behavior via
The Devicescape Wi-Fi Report. Devicescape encourages the public to submit
questions for future surveys by submitting them to:
DevicescapeWi-FiReport@devicescape.com.
Devicescape Wi-Fi Report Methodology
Decipher Inc. surveyed more than 8,000 Wi-Fi users, representing a
cross-section of Devicescape's overall membership. The survey questions
were developed by Devicescape, Intel and Meraki -- a cross-section of
industry Wi-Fi leaders. Devicescape members include a wide array of working
professionals from a variety of industries as well as students in the
United States and around the world.
With more than 1 million members, Devicescape is the leader in Easy Wi-Fi.
The company has worked with original equipment manufacturers and service
providers since its inception. Devicescape's Easy Wi-Fi enables anytime,
anywhere, any network Wi-Fi access.
About Decipher
A marketing research services provider, Decipher specializes in online
survey programming, data collection, data processing/reporting and custom
technology development. Utilizing Web-based applications, Decipher
integrates state of the art technology with traditional research
techniques. Decipher's survey tools and data reporting suite provide users
with the ability to automate post field production, significantly
increasing the accuracy and quality of research reporting.
About Devicescape
Devicescape is the leader in Easy Wi-Fi. The company has worked with device
manufacturers and service providers since its inception and has hundreds of
design wins in the best Wi-Fi products category. Its market-specific
solutions -- Easy Wi-Fi for Handsets, Easy Wi-Fi for PCs and Easy Wi-Fi for
Devices -- allow for the creation of superior products that are powerful,
yet easy to use and compatible with a global network market.
Headquartered in San Bruno, California, the company is privately held and
backed by leading venture capital companies including Kleiner Perkins
Caufield & Byers, August Capital, Enterprise Partners, and JAFCO. To learn
more, please visit http://www.devicescape.com.
About Intel
Intel, the world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies,
products and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live.
Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom
and blogs.intel.com.
About Meraki
Meraki offers enterprise-class wireless networks at a fraction of the cost
and complexity of traditional networking vendors. This is made possible by
its unique cloud-based technology. The company's customers range from
small and medium-sized businesses to global hotel chains to world-class
educational institutions. Meraki wireless networks serve millions of users
on over 10,000 networks in more than 130 countries. Meraki is located in
San Francisco, California, and is funded in part by Sequoia Capital and
Google. For more information, go to www.meraki.com.
Contact Information: BOCA Communications Kathleen Shanahan or Ashley Wilkinson Phone: +1-415-738-7718