Wi-Fi is a kind of wireless local area network. It’s rapdly distributing worldwide after the launch of Apple’s devices – i Pod touch and i Phone. According to data from JiWire’s insights, the CAGR of public Wi-Fi hotspots is 137% from 2004 to June 2009. But so far this network techonology doesn’t popularized well in spite of several benefits.
It has decisional issues to activate Wi-Fi as a local area network. If it’s widely used, it means Wi-Fi could substitute voice network which is the most valuable source of revenue for MNOs. At first it will solve the problem on limited network band, but because it could enable users connecting to voice network via VoIP. This simple worry keeps Wi-Fi prosperous.
And other problem is that there is no business model in Wi-Fi world. Especially american companies such as verizon and cablevision are using Wi-Fi as a marketing tool for their wireless or broadband service. For example, Cablevision provides free Wi-Fi network to the customers that subscribe their broadband service. Conclusionally the number of broadband subscribers is increased by 70 percent at the 4th quarter comparing with the same period of last year. Even some countries like Chinese Taipei and Singapore are freely installed Wi-Fi for public needs.
But there are meaningful business opportunities. The rate of Wi-Fi installment is rapidly increasing and it naturally embedded various devices including smart phones. Especially home audio and digital TV are very important devices for Wi-Fi. Because this connection needs control between customer electronics. This try will be more active in the name of residential gateway and it means the initiative of grabbing a contents delivery channel.