Beginning in 2001, Chinese operators began deploying Wi-Fi hotspots in airports, convention centers, and hotels to provide wireless broadband access for the business community. For example, in 2003 China Mobile launched the Wi-Fi hotspot service Sui-e-Xing (subscribers could register by sending a message to China Mobile requesting a user name and password). China Telecom also provided a business-focused WLAN service (TianYiTong) in southern China. However, In-Stat’s research shows that these paid services have not yet obtained market traction. In addition, some coffee bars, restaurants, and other places of entertainment provide free DSL-based or LAN-based Wi-Fi access.

In order to be successful, Wi-Fi providers need to understand the attitudes and requirements that end-users have regarding public Wi-Fi hotspot service and its associated applications.

In this report, In-Stat provides the following information:

• The usage patterns of current users with regard to time spent, places used, end-devices and applications used, and levels of satisfaction.
• Potential-user attitudes toward Wi-Fi hotspot regarding overall acceptance of the service, reasons for use, preferred places of use, end-devices and applications preferred, and willingness to pay for the service.

In addition, this information is analyzed by cross-tabulating respondent profiles with their attitudes/behaviors regarding Wi-Fi hotspot service.