Wifi Revolution

A recent report from ABI Research (News - Alert) predicts that municipal Wi-Fi will extend its Global Service Area to 30, 000 square miles by 2012. There was only 520 square miles of municipal Wi Fi in 2004 -- but ABI anticipates that it will increase many folds in the coming years.

Canada, Japan, South Korea and Western European countries are undergoing tremendous growth in municipal Wi Fi infrastructure and applications, even though at present the United States leads in Wi Fi installations.

Among the report’s key findings are:

--Incumbent service providers in the North American region view municipal Wi-Fi as a competitive threat because it represents “free” consumer access and “free” infrastructure.
--Rapid uptake in the Asia Pacific region, in advanced countries like South Korea, has resulted in new wireless applications and the growth of new Wi-Fi enabled end-user devices.
--In the emerging regions there is great interest in this technology although cost factor prohibits its spread. If these regions could make strides in funding they could make much better progress.

Stan Schatt, ABI Research vice president and research director, explained in a press release that wireless surveillance systems, for example, are benefiting municipalities by helping prevent possible terrorist attacks, decreasing crime, improving traffic flow, and even boosting tourism by creating stable communities. He further pointed out that there are key financial benefits that should be included within the municipal Wi-Fi business case.

For information about ABI Research, or to get a copy of the report, visit www.abiresearch.com.

ABI Research's Wi-Fi Research Service can be found at http://www.abiresearch.com/products/service/Wi-Fi_Research_Service.

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Nathesh is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To see more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.

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