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Public Access WLAN Usability 2004

Product Type: Market Research Report
Published by: Mind Commerce Publishing
Published: July 2004
Product Code: R331-0012
Description
Written by leading public access WLAN expert, Zaga Novakovic, Public Access WLAN Usability 2004 represents ground breaking research from Mind Commerce. This report is the only research of its type to evaluate the “usability” of public access WLAN or WiFi hotspot provider service offerings.

The research focuses primarily on the following usability criteria:
  • Access
  • User Friendliness
  • Ease of log-on
  • Security
  • Speed (relative to number of users/load)
  • Price
  • Customer service
The study evaluates each of the hotspot provider service offerings on a scale of 1 (low) to 5 (high) for each attribute, provides an overall quantitative “grade” for each service, supporting discussion and comments, as well as appropriate praise and constructive criticism. The report also compares and contrasts the findings for each public access WLAN service provider studied including leading hotspot providers T-Mobile, Wayport, Boingo, Hotspotzz, Surf and Sip, Cafe.com, STSN, iPass, and even an illustrative “free” service provider, Panera Bread. The study also includes an evaluation of the hotspot usage patterns by travelers within the United States as well as a summary grading and comparing each hotspot provider to one another.

This report compares the “usability” of various hotspot providers’ service offerings. What we found will surprise you!! As with her breakthrough research, Public Access WLAN Case Studies 2004, Zaga uses a combination of primary research, observation, qualitative analysis, and expert evaluation to support her very valuable and insightful evaluation and recommendations. Zaga conducted the primary research component of this study by personally visiting the hotspot venues, using the service herself, as well as conducting on-site interviews with other hotspot customers. While the two reports are an excellent complement to one another, the usability report will be of particular interest to the following groups:
  • Hotspot service providers, equipment, software and support suppliers
  • Venue and hotspot hosts such as coffee shops, hotels, etc.
  • Companies making decisions about how to support their mobile work force
  • Investors in the hotspot equipment, software, and services industry
Note: Company-wide license includes any further 2004 updates to this report.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION



EXECUTIVE SUMMARY



COMPARING ACCESS

User-friendliness

Ease of Log-on

Security

Speed/number of users

Price



CUSTOMER SERVICE

T-Mobile

T-Mobile Hotspots

T-Mobile Subscription/Access Options

Ease of Log-In

User-Friendliness

Security

Speed

Seating/environment

Price

Customer Service

Branding

Prediction



WAYPORT

Wayport Hotspots

Wayport Subscription/Access Options

Ease of Log-In

User-Friendliness

Security

Speed

Seating/Environment

Price

Customer Service

Branding

Prediction



BOINGO

Boingo Hotspots

Boingo Subscription/Access Options

Ease of Log-In

User-Friendliness

Security

Speed

Number of Users

Seating/Environment

Price

Customer Service

Branding/Marketing

Prediction



HOTSPOTZZ (FORMERLY WIFI METRO)

Hotspotzz Hotspots

Hotspotzz Subscription/Access Options

Ease of Log-In

User-Friendliness

Security

Speed

Number of Users

Price

Branding

Customer Service

Prediction



SURF AND SIP

Surf and Sip Hotspots

Surf and Sip Subscription/Access Options

Ease of Log-In

User-Friendliness

Security

Speed

Number of Users

Environment/Seating

Price

Branding

Customer Service

Prediction



FATPORT

FatPort Hotspots

FatPort Subscription/Access Options



CAFÉ.COM

Café.com Hotspots

Café.com Subscription/Access Options



PANERA BREAD COMPANY

Panera Hotspots

Panera Subscription/Access Options

Ease of Log-In

User-Friendliness

Security

Speed

Number of Users

Seating/environment

Price

Branding

Prediction



STSN

STSN Hotspots

STSN Subscription/Access Options

Ease of Log-In

User-Friendliness

Security

Speed

Number of Users

Seating/Environment

Price

Customer Service

Prediction



IPASS

iPass Hotspots

Ease of Log-In

User-Friendliness

Security

Speed

Number of Users

Seating/environment

Customer Service

Branding

Prediction



HOT SPOT USAGE PATTERNS IN THE UNITED STATES

Travelers

Business Travel Patterns in the United States

Where Do They Travel?

Summary



ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ordering and More Information
Price and Delivery Options



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