Barney Robison Blog

AT&T*, the U.S. Wi-Fi leader with nearly 20,000 domestic hotspots, today reported dramatic growth in the number of Wi-Fi users and connections. AT&T Wi-Fi connections totaled 10.5 million in the first quarter of 2009 – more than triple the 3.4 million connections in the first quarter of 2008, and more than half AT&T’s 20 million total Wi-Fi connections for all of 2008. The usage surge was driven by growth in AT&T’s wired and wireless broadband customer base, the proliferation of Wi-Fi enabled devices and the transition of Starbucks locations to AT&T’s Wi-Fi footprint.

AT&T broadband connections – including wireline and wireless LaptopConnect cards – grew by 471,000 in the first quarter to reach 16.7 million in service. AT&T provides Wi-Fi access at no extra charge with qualifying AT&T high speed Internet plans, 3G LaptopConnect plans and select smartphone plans.

The number and type of Wi-Fi enabled devices continues Read more

The City of Monrovia CA and Champion WiFi, a Subsidiary of Champion Broadband, have partnered to apply for $2.7 million in stimulus money to improve broadband penetration in the City.

This initiative would improve broadband penetration and public safety access by providing free Internet access to community anchor institutions and to the Monrovia Fire Department. The current broadband penetration rate is 35% in the City, well below the California average of 56%.

The project would overlay a dual band 2.4 GHz and 4.9 GHz network over the City, using BelAir Networks BA 100 S Strand mounted node. The nodes will ride upon the existing Champion network, eliminating pole and access challenges that have hindered many WiFi deployments. Arris will serve as Systems Integrator on the project. Read more

Noting a six percent increase in units shipped in the overall Service Provider WLAN market, Dell’Oro Group’s recently released Q3 2008 Wireless LAN quarterly report recognized BelAir Networks as the Service Provider WLAN market share leader based on revenue for the fifth consecutive quarter.

As well-known Wi-Fi blogger, Glenn Fleishman, stated in a recent article in Ars Technica: “BelAir Networks is known for powering the biggest public WiFi networks in North America: Minneapolis, Toronto, and Cablevision’s in-progress New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut network for its cable data subscribers.” Read more

Wi-Fi handset shipments have exploded over the past year, and will continue to show strong growth over the next several years. With the increasing prevalence of Wi-Fi enabled handsets, hotspot usage by handheld devices has increased significantly. As a percentage of total connects, handhelds increased from 20% in 2008 to 35% in 2009. By 2011 handhelds are anticipated to account for half of hotspot connects reports In-Stat (http://email.in-stat.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/hBWMj0HWT680K560DHgc0Ei).

Other factors are affecting handheld usage growth as well. There is a predominance of mobile carriers in the hotspot market, resulting in promotion of Wi-Fi enabled handset devices on their networks. New dual-mode Wi-Fi phones are coming to the market. Growth in applications, such as content download, or even more so VoFi, will drive usage of handheld devices over the coming years. Finally, markets, such as China, are opening for hotspots that have previously restricted Wi-Fi usage on Read more