Global Wi-Fi Hotspots Expected to Reach 6.3 Million by End of Year

There is a push all around the world to get as much of the area as possible running on 4G and LTE networks. They are fast and can carry a lot of data. In fact, Samsung is already working on a 5G network. It seems that as mobile devices improve and become more affordable, it spurs on the need for more access.

One way to stay connected is through a Wi-Fi connection. In some cases it is actually easier to make a connection using a Wi-Fi hotspot than going through a 3G or 4G network. Wi-Fi has pretty much become a companion to 3G and 4G services. They tend to complement each other.

Due to the fact that it is usually free in many public places such as parks, cafes, retail stores and yes, even in some bars, Wi-Fi has become somewhat of a mainstay of connectivity. In some of these areas it is not always easy to get a 3G or 4G connection, especially if you are in the basement of a building.

However, even in these areas if you have access to a Wi-Fi connection then you can connect to the Internet. According to a report that was released by ABI Research on June 10, Wi-Fi deployment reached 4.9 million hotspots in 2012 and the expectation is that by the end of 2013 that number will reach 6.3 million, about a 30 percent increase.

The figures mentioned above include Wi-Fi hotspots that are deployed by mobile carriers as well as fixed-line and third-party operators. As the need for mobile connectivity continues to increase, fixed broadband operators like Comcast, Time Warner and Optimum are building Wi-Fi hotspots. The reason for this is so that they can provide fast and reliable Internet connections to their customers regardless of where they are.

Not to be left behind, third-party network operators such as Boingo, iPass and Tomizone are also expanding their Wi-Fi hotspots. Third-party operators install their own Wi-Fi hotspots as well as retail access to Wi-Fi hotspots managed by telecom operators. The ABI Research report shows that of the total global Wi-Fi hotspots, 88 percent of Wi-Fi is in Asia-Pacific. This is followed by 8 percent in Europe, 3 percent in North America, and about 1 percent in the other regions.

When you think about the uses of the various mobile devices, the only one that really needs a 3G or 4G connection is your smartphone. If you are using a tablet or laptop in your travels, having access to a Wi-Fi hotspot will allow you to have access to everything that you need.

With the growing improvements in Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) connections, it is just as easy to use a Wi-Fi hotspot to make phone and video calls from your mobile devices. So we can see how the growth of Wi-Fi hotspots would continue.

If you would like to see the details of the ABI Research report, “Wi-Fi Access Points” is part of the company’s larger Small Cells and Carrier Wi-Fi report.