Growth of public Wi-Fi could drive use of mobile VoIP solutions

Users of mobile VoIP solutions over the years to come are likely to be boosted by a predicted growth in the presence of public Wi-Fi hotspots.

The Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) has issued a report following a study conducted by analyst firm Informa Telecoms and Media that shows a boom in internet connections is expected to occur.

It surveyed some 259 providers and vendors of Wi-Fi from all four corners of the earth.

In conclusion, it was found that the current total of 1.3 million public Wi-Fi hotspots is set to grow and will hit 5.8 million by 2015 – a rise of 350 per cent.

These public connection points are not the end of the story for mobile VoIP solutions users, though, as there are also another 4.5 million 'community hotspots' that provide links to the web.

Chris Bruce, chairman of the WBA and chief executive officer of BT Openzone, said: "The findings show we are about to enter the golden age of public Wi-Fi with hotspot deployments set to soar.

"Fixed operators are extending broadband services beyond the home and office and Wi-Fi is supporting busy mobile broadband networks."

Asia is set to witness particular growth in connections, with China Mobile alone planning to create some one million public Wi-Fi points, while KDDI of Japan will increase its number from 10,000 to 100,000 in the next six months.

Such expansion of the sector is sure to make it easier for businesses and individuals to access mobile VoIP solutions on the go.

Visiongain recently predicted that mobile VoIP is set to become a big deal around the world over the years to come.

It forecast that annual revenue of $36 billion (£22.6 billion) will be received by 2016 and that 180 million users of the technology will be in place by that year.