Mobile workers want free Wi-Fi at hotels
Wednesday, September 1st, 2010 Karen Ambrose Hickey, Editor
CC 3.0 License
According to the usage data as part of our Mobile Workforce Report, hotels continue to be the most popular place to log in (40%), when on the road, followed by airports and retail. Although mobile workers log in longest at convention centers (just over two hours!), they spend 88 minutes per session in a hotel.
If a mobile employee is spending that much time trying to stay up-to-date with email, clients and projects, while on the road, then the new JD Power and Associates’ survey comes as no surprise. Reported by HotelNewsNow.com, “Hotel guests put Wi-Fi at top of amenity list”, the 2010 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study shows that hotel guests indicate that wireless Internet access is their #1 Most Important Amenity in all but one hotel segment.
Maybe these workers (and other guests) are catching up on a movie or the game highlights, but, regardless, they need instant, easy access to connectivity.
IT Administrators and the CFO should love that mobile workers are more satisfied when the Internet is complimentary. The author points out that the higher end brands still charge for Internet, but over time, will workers abandon that service as more connections are available – MiFi, tethering, free Wi-Fi down the street? Although if a mobile worker is staying at a luxury hotel, price may not be an issue, plus who wants to leave the comforts once they are settled in and working?
Tags: Wi-Fi
My feeling exactly! Whether at work, or at a hotel, I want to get connected fast, with no hassle.