China Networking

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.

Executive Summary

Definition

Introduction

Survey Demographics

Wi-Fi Hotspot Use

Age

Age and Wi-Fi Hotspot Use

Business Trip Frequency

Business Trips and Wi-Fi Hotspot Use

Income

Income and Wi-Fi Hotspot Use

Service Providers

Monthly Spending (Fixed Telephone/Broadband)

Monthly Spending (Mobile Service)

Monthly Spending (VASs)

Attitudes to New Technology

Survey Results

Current Users

Reasons for Wi-Fi Hotspot Use

Applications Used

Wi-Fi Hotspot Locations

Time Spent

End-Devices Used

Free and Paid Wi-Fi

Satisfaction with Wi-Fi Hotspots

Potential Users

Interest in Wi-Fi Hotspots

Age and Interest in Wi-Fi Hotspots

Reasons for Use

Plans to Use

Preferred Locations

Preferred End-Devices

Preferred Applications

Willingness to Pay

Amount Willing to Pay

Reasons Not to Use

Methodology

Glossary

Related In-Stat Reports

List of Tables

Table 1. Respondents’ Cities

List of Figures

Figure 1. Have You Used a Wi-Fi Hotspot in the Last Three Months?

Figure 2. Respondent Ages

Figure 3. Current and Potential Wi-Fi Hotspot Users, by Age

Figure 4. Respondent Monthly Business Trip Frequency

Figure 5. Current and Potential Users, by Monthly Business Trip Frequency

Figure 6. Respondent Income (US$)

Figure 7. Current and Potential Wi-Fi Hotspot Users, by Income (US$)

Figure 8. Respondent Service Providers

Figure 9. Respondent Monthly Spending on Fixed Telephone/Broadband Access (US$)

Figure 10. Respondent Monthly Spending on Mobile Service (US$)

Figure 11. Respondent Monthly Spending on VASs (US$)

Figure 12. Respondent Attitudes to New Technology

Figure 13. Reasons for Using Wi-Fi Hotspots

Figure 14. Applications Used on Wi-Fi Hotspots

Figure 15. Where Do You Use Wi-Fi Hotspots?

Figure 16. How Often Per Week Do You Use Wi-Fi Hotspots?

Figure 17. End-Device Used for Access to Wi-Fi Hotspots

Figure 18. Do You Use Free or Paid Wi-Fi Hotspots?

Figure 19. Overall Satisfaction With Wi-Fi Hotspots

Figure 20. Wi-Fi Hotspot Satisfaction for Users of Both Free and Paid Service

Figure 21. Wi-Fi Hotspot Satisfaction for Users of Free Service Only

Figure 22. Wi-Fi Hotspot Satisfaction for Users of Paid Service Only

Figure 23. Interest in Wi-Fi Hotspots

Figure 24. Age and Interest in Wi-Fi Hotspots

Figure 25. Reasons for Using Wi-Fi Hotspots

Figure 26. Plans to Use Wi-Fi Hotspots

Figure 27. Preferred Locations for Using Wi-Fi Hotspots

Figure 28. Preferred End-Device to Access Wi-Fi Hotspots

Figure 29. Preferred Applications for Wi-Fi Hotspots

Figure 30. Willingness to Pay for Wi-Fi Hotspot Service (US$)

Figure 31. How Much Would You Be Willing to Pay for Hotspot Service? (US$)

Figure 32. Reasons for Not Using Hotspot Service