Wi-Fi Continues to Surge; Airport Hotspots Lead the Way

Wireless connectivity provider iPass published a report this week revealing a 44 percent global increase in Wi-Fi hotspot use by business professionals in the second half of last year. Europe posted the biggest regional jump in the number of sessions with a 74 percent surge in wireless traffic, compared with 33 percent growth in the United States.

The iPass Wi-Fi Hotspot Index is based on hotspot session statistics collected from its network, consisting of more than 76,000 hotspots in 68 countries.While Europe led in growth, the United States led in raw numbers, with 60 percent of all measured Wi-Fi sessions originating in the U.S. Thirty-one percent of Wi-Fi traffic originated in Europe.

Although the Asia-Pacific and Latin American regions combined make up only 8 percent of all Wi-Fi sessions, the report found some significant wireless gains in both locations. Wi-Fi hotspot use grew 57 percent in Latin America and 30 percent in the Asia-Pacific region last year.

Airport wireless hotspots are the most popular wireless service center choice, accounting for nearly half of all Wi-Fi sessions, according the study's findings.

The number of sessions initiated in airports increased 40 percent in the second half of two years, with the average session lasting 41 minutes. Internet cafes are the next most popular Wi-Fi venue, with 16 percent of all session traffic.

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