AUSTIN, TEXAS -- July 12, 2006 -- The Wi-Fi Alliance®, in conjunction with Kelton Research, today announced results of a nationwide survey on consumer perceptions of Wi-Fi technology. Overall findings indicate that Wi-Fi is demonstrating increased momentum as an integral part of leisure and work activities.
Among the key take-aways:
Quotas are set to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the total U.S. population, age 18-64, with experience with wireless computer technology in their home or home office.
WHEN/HOW:
The survey was conducted online by Kelton Research between June 26 to 30, 2006 and included 551 Americans. Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. In this particular study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 4.2 percentage points from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample.
*All decimals are rounded to the nearest percentage point. This may result in certain numerical totals adding up to slightly more or slightly less than 100 percent.
CONTACT:
To schedule a meeting with the Wi-Fi Alliance or receive a copy of the survey findings, contact: Dominic Ybarra, Edelman, 650-762-2960, dominic.ybarra@edelman.com.
About the Wi-Fi Alliance
The Wi-Fi Alliance is a global, non-profit industry association of more than 250 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 Alliance’s testing and certification programs ensure the interoperability of WLAN products based on the IEEE 802.11 specification. Since the introduction of the Wi-Fi Alliance's certification program in March 2000, more than 2,800 products have been designated as Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™, encouraging the expanded use of Wi-Fi products and services across the consumer and enterprise markets.
Among the key take-aways:
- The Wi-Fi Lifestyle has Reached iPod Popularity. Think iPods are popular? Not compared to Wi-Fi. Eight out of ten surveyed readily volunteered that they would give up their iPod any day over their home wireless network (80* percent vs. 21 percent).
- Phone Home? Not so Much. When Americans were asked which they would rather give up, their home telephone or wireless computer network, 79 percent responded that they would rather live without a home phone. Only 21 percent said they would part with their home Wi-Fi connection. Surprisingly, suburban residents – who normally may be considered to have more “homebody” tendencies than their urban counterparts – were even more likely to trade in their home phones for their wireless networks than those who live in urban areas (83 percent vs. 74 percent).
- Honesty is the Best Policy. Eighty-two percent of those surveyed indicated that they do not use wireless computer networks to mask their whereabouts (vs. 18 percent who said they have, for instance, telling their boss that they were at home sick, when they were really at a friend’s house).
- Death of the Home Office. It appears that the days of the traditional home office may be coming to an end. A majority of Americans (55 percent) said that at least 2-3 times a week, they worked from home – although it doesn’t mean sitting in a traditional office space. Rather, they’re working in the kitchen, living room, or even in a public space such as a coffee shop or bookstore. Interestingly, older wireless users age 40 to 64 were 10 percent more likely to “work from home” outside of a home office than younger Americans age 18-29, several times a week (42 percent vs. 32 percent).
- One Hour for Freedom. When asked how long it took to set up current wireless computer networks at home, the average length of time was just 1 hour 8 minutes. Not much time for all the freedom the technology allows.
Quotas are set to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the total U.S. population, age 18-64, with experience with wireless computer technology in their home or home office.
WHEN/HOW:
The survey was conducted online by Kelton Research between June 26 to 30, 2006 and included 551 Americans. Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. In this particular study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 4.2 percentage points from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample.
*All decimals are rounded to the nearest percentage point. This may result in certain numerical totals adding up to slightly more or slightly less than 100 percent.
CONTACT:
To schedule a meeting with the Wi-Fi Alliance or receive a copy of the survey findings, contact: Dominic Ybarra, Edelman, 650-762-2960, dominic.ybarra@edelman.com.
About the Wi-Fi Alliance
The Wi-Fi Alliance is a global, non-profit industry association of more than 250 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 Alliance’s testing and certification programs ensure the interoperability of WLAN products based on the IEEE 802.11 specification. Since the introduction of the Wi-Fi Alliance's certification program in March 2000, more than 2,800 products have been designated as Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™, encouraging the expanded use of Wi-Fi products and services across the consumer and enterprise markets.