Approximately 1,000 Americans from all income levels and walks of life were polled by survey.com for the Wi-Fi Alliance from Nov. 28 to Dec. 1.
When surveyed, 65 percent of respondents said Wi-Fi technology helps them stay in touch with friends and family via tools such as instant messaging and email, and 53 percent said that Wi-Fi gives them freedom to socialize online. Moreover, 46 percent of those surveyed said they agreed that the time gained from using Wi-Fi allows them to dedicate more time to marriage or personal relationship.
Among other findings: 68 percent said Wi-Fi technology helps them become more productive at home, doing things like online shopping and banking; and 61 percent said Wi-Fi technology helps them free up time to do other things they want to do.
We have seen considerable anecdotal evidence that Wi-Fi can change the way we work, play and live, and these results give us considerable insight into how wireless networking can improve daily life, said Wi-Fi Alliance Managing Director Frank Hanzlik. As Wi-Fi is now shipped in millions of products and deployed in millions of homes, business and hotspots worldwide, the technology has moved beyond the realm of a computer feature. Wi-Fi has fast become a cultural phenomenon.
For those shopping for Wi-Fi equipment, seeing the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ logo on a package or store display instills confidence. 60 percent were more likely to purchase a device labeled Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ over a similar but uncertified device. The Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ logo indicates that the equipment has passed rigorous interoperability testing conducted by the Wi-Fi Alliance.
This year, only six years after the Wi-Fi Alliance coined the term, Wi-Fi was added to the Merriam-Webster New Collegiate Dictionary.
Other results from the new survey:
61 percent said Wi-Fi technology helps/will help me become more productive at home or in school;
74 percent said Wi-Fi technology allows/will allow me to get out of my home office and work in other rooms (e.g. in front of the TV, in bed, outdoors);
70 percent said with Wi-Fi technology available in hotels, airports, etc., I am/will be more inclined to bring my laptop with me when traveling for personal reasons.
About the Wi-Fi Alliance
The Wi-Fi Alliance is a global, non-profit industry association of more than 200 member companies devoted to promoting the growth of wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs). With the aim of enhancing the user experience for mobile wireless devices, the Wi-Fi Alliances testing and certification programs ensure the interoperability of WLAN products based on the IEEE 802.11 specification. Since the introduction of the Wi-Fi Alliances certification program in March 2000, more than 2,000 products have been designated as Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™, encouraging the expanded use of Wi-Fi products and services across the consumer and enterprise markets.For more information, contact: Edelman for Wi-Fi Alliance: Michael Diamond, michael.diamond@edelman.com, 650-429-2772.
