[Infonetics Survey]: Business Models for Carrier Wi-Fi

  

A survey by Richard Webb, directing analyst for mobile backhaul and small cells, Infonetics Research finds that "Carrier WiFi deployments are evolving to deliver the same quality of experience as mobile and fixed-line broadband service environments, and this is driving WiFi networks to become more closely integrated. 

Hotspot 2.0, a key tool developed by the industry to aid this drive, shows rapid adoption by carriers participating in our latest carrier WiFi survey" 

• Respondents have an average of around 32,000 access points currently, growing to just over 44,000 by 2015, representing 33% growth over the next year
   
• Among those surveyed, the top 3 monetization models for WiFi services are pre-pay, bundled with mobile broadband subscription, and tiered hotspots
   
• WiFi as a separate overlay network currently leads the list of technologies and architectures for offloading data traffic; meanwhile, more sophisticated carrier WiFi architectures gain gradual traction as respondents look to bring WiFi into the mobile RAN via SIM-based service models or by deploying dual-mode WiFi/small cells
   
• Respondents perceive Cisco and Ruckus Wireless as the top carrier WiFi manufacturers for second consecutive year

See "Carriers going gangbusters with WiFi and Hotspot 2.0" - here.