Posted: 05th Apr, 2004 By: MarkJ
The USA based wireless research firm, ON World, has forecast that European broadband wireless hotspots will generate around one billion pounds by 2009:
There will be 174,000 hotspots in the region by that time, generating USD898 million (EUR741.32 million) in revenues, according to the report, 'European Hotspots: A Rapidly Growing Ecosystem'.
"Hotspots are a way for European fixed line operators to extend their broadband networks and for mobile operators to finally profit their 3G investments," said Colin Carroll, a senior research analyst for ON World. "European fixed line and mobile network operators today have evolved from debating about whether the hotspot business model makes sense or not to chasing after choice locations."
The European environment is nearly ideal for offering public broadband access, according to ON World, due to its concentrated population, high mobile phone penetration, growing broadband adoption, cafe culture and centralised telecom infrastructure.The assessment is somewhat more optimistic to read than most, especially the part regarding how public Wi-Fi operators have evolved?
We're still waiting for affordable, sustainable speed and easy to use services, aren't we? More @
ElectricNews.