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WBA says wireless broadband hotspot numbers to rise 350% by 2015
There will be 5.8 million public Wi-Fi hotspots across the world by 2015, the Wireless Broadband Alliance has predicted.
Compiled by Informa and published by the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA), the study claimed public Wi-Fi hotspot volumes are in line to rise from 1.3 million in 2011 to 5.8 million by 2015, representing an increase of 350 per cent.
When community hotspots - where Wi-Fi access points are shared between multiple users - are included in the figures, the number will rise by an additional 4.5 million.
Mobile data was named as a key driver in this growth, with traffic expected to hit almost 17 million terabytes by 2014. In order to cope with this surge in usage, many mobile networks will look to offload data to Wi-Fi infrastructure.
Some 58 per cent of network operators, including 47 per cent of mobile carriers, described wireless broadband access points as either very important or crucial to improving the experience of their customers.
The study went on to reveal the total global volume of Wi-Fi hotspots is set to exceed the number of laptops worldwide in the near future.
Laptops now represent 48 per cent of connections to wireless networks, while smartphones and tablets generate 36 per cent and ten per cent respectively.
Chris Bruce, chair of the WBA and chief executive of BT Openzone, said: "The findings show we are about to enter the golden age of public Wi-Fi, with hotspot deployments set to soar.
"Fixed operators are extending broadband services beyond the home and office, and Wi-Fi is supporting busy mobile broadband networks.
"By cracking the code of a simple, secure user experience hotspot use will continue to soar."
This time last year, BT consolidated its position as the UK's top Wi-Fi provider by announcing its network of hotspots had passed the two million mark.