Europe Surpasses North America for Business Use of Wi-Fi Hotspots

iPass Inc., (NASDAQ: IPAS) a global provider of services that unify the management of enterprise mobility, today released the latest edition of the iPass Mobile Broadband Index, which tracks the wireless use patterns of mobile workers around the world. The report shows worldwide business use of iPass Wi-Fi hotspots increased by 46% from the first half of 2007 to the first half of 2008 and that users of 2.5G and 3G mobile broadband technologies in the US increased their data traffic in the second quarter of the year by 59% between 2007 and 2008. Other key findings include rapid growth of Wi-Fi in Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America, and the emergence of hotels, restaurants, train stations and public places as high-growth venues.

Europe Passes North America in Wi-Fi Use

For the first time, European business use of Wi-Fi hotspots eclipsed North America in the first half of 2008. Europe grew its use 89% year over year and now accounts for 47% of global use, up from 36% in 1H 2007. In fact, nearly 70% of the growth in global Wi-Fi came from Europe and seven of the top ten countries in the world are in Europe.

North America grew 17% year over year and now accounts for 45% of usage, down from 56% the year before, while Asia Pacific grew by 54% to hold steady at 6% of worldwide share. Latin America and the remaining world regions grew at 98% and 76% respectively but each only accounts for 1% of global usage.

"The results of the latest Mobile Broadband Index indicate that businesspeople worldwide continue to do more work away from the office, whether they’re on a business trip, commuting, or checking email at a nearby café or restaurant,” said Joel Wachtler, vice-president of marketing and strategy, iPass. "We see both Wi-Fi hotspots and 3G mobile broadband playing an important role in keeping the workforce productive, and iPass expects WiMAX and other 4G technologies to continue this trend towards a ubiquitously connected multi-technology world.“

There were several shifts among top cities that reflected global Wi-Fi usage trends. London remains the top city for business users of Wi-Fi, although high growth in Singapore and Tokyo, which came in at number two and three respectively, cut into its lead. Chicago replaced New York as the top US city, and was fifth in the world.