Hot spots proliferate, and more are coming.(Wireless Data)(Brief Article)

Business Communications Review, August, 2003

There are almost 60 times more public wireless LAN "hot spots" this year than just two years ago, according to market research released by Gartner Inc., which forecasts continued growth in the coming years. The worldwide total grew from 1,200 in 2001 to more than 71,000 this year, and the user base grew from 2.5 million last year to 9.3 million this year, Gartner reported.

About half those users are in North America, almost 30 percent are in Asia/Pacific, and about 12 percent in Europe. Currently, the vast majority of hot spots are located in retail outlets such as coffee shops, gas stations and restaurants. Though this segment will continue to lead the market, other sites including hotels, enterprise guest areas and community-owned hot spots will...

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