56% of Public Wi-Fi Users Connect with Mobile Device

­The use of Wi-Fi enabled mobile devices in public hotspot locations continues to increase. Fifty-six percent of respondents to a JiWire survey, say that they connect via their smartphone or other mobile device, and for 14 percent a mobile device is the primary means to connect to public Wi-Fi.

Looking at the popularity of mobile operating systems, JiWire's research shows that Google's Android jumped to second place in Q4 of 2009, with 167 percent growth in market share. Apple devices including the iPhone and iPod Touch remain the most popular; however, overall market share for the iPhone OS declined two percent in the fourth quarter. The report shows that usage of non-phone mobile devices, such as the Sony PSP, continues to grow among public Wi-Fi users. Three out of the top ten mobile devices used on public Wi-Fi aren't phones.

"With the proliferation of mobile devices, more people are accessing the Internet outside their homes and offices, whether on a mobile phone, netbook or even a gaming device," said David Staas, senior vice president, marketing, of JiWire. "Over 890 million new Internet enabled wireless devices are expected to ship this year alone according to Morgan Stanley, revolutionizing how people integrate media into their daily lives and changing the nature of advertising."

Big Brands Drive Consumer Demand for Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi is becoming more pervasive with a 21.9 percent growth in locations in 2009. Additionally, overall Wi-Fi usage continued to grow, with an 8.2 percent increase in Q4 alone. Travelers took advantage of free Wi-Fi sponsored by Microsoft (Bing) and Google over the holidays. These campaigns contributed to an increase in usage at airports and cafés by 26 percent and 22.9 percent respectively in Q4.

Further contributing to the increase in Wi-Fi use is the general shift from data cards to Wi-Fi: according to the Pew Internet and American Life Project, nine percent of laptop users made the switch to Wi-Fi in the second half of 2009.

With McDonald's starting to offer free Wi-Fi in 2010, JiWire projects a 15 percent increase in free Wi-Fi locations in the U.S., which will bring free Wi-Fi to 52 percent of the total number of public Wi-Fi locations this year.