Wi-Fi Wake-Up Call: Hotel Wi-Fi is Second Only to a Comfortable Bed
Q3 iPass Mobile Workforce Report Uncovers Wi-Fi Access as Essential as a Good Night’s Sleep
REDWOOD SHORES, Calif., September 17, 2013: iPass Inc. (NASDAQ: IPAS), a leading provider of mobile services for enterprises and telecom service providers, today published its Q3 Mobile Workforce Report. According to the report, mobile workers around the globe ranked, in order of importance, hotel Wi-Fi, as second only to having a comfortable bed. Wi-Fi has become a “must-have” for business travelers, trumping other standard amenities such as hotel restaurants, in-room mini-bars, and gym facilities. The report not only points out that Wi-Fi has been elevated from a simple amenity, but its importance is directly influencing where corporate travel dollars are spent for lodging and airfare. To learn more, download the complete Q3 iPass Mobile Workforce Report for a detailed look at the Q3 survey results. For more information about iPass industry reports visit http:/mobile-resources-surveys/.
“Wi-Fi is a disruptive technology; it changes the way we work,” said Evan Kaplan, CEO, iPass. “This report spotlights some of the key trends driving that disruption, such as the proliferation of Wi-Fi-enabled devices and access to bandwidth-hungry business applications like cloud apps, video conferencing and other unified communication tools, which demand quality internet connections and define productivity for corporate travelers around the globe.”
Highlights from the Q3 2013 iPass Mobile Workforce Report: Wi-Fi Wake-Up Call:
- High bandwidth apps: 82 percent said free hotel Wi-Fi services to be limited, slow and unreliable. More than one third reported using high bandwidth cloud-based business and collaboration apps such as unified communications that demand continuous high-quality connectivity to get the job done.
- Tablets: Regardless of platform, a disruptive force for Wi-Fi connectivity. Tablet computers continue to be a favorite among mobile workers. The 10-inch iPad is still the preferred device. 47 percent of respondents chose 7- and 8-inch tablets as an intended tablet purchase in the next six months, and 29 percent plan to purchase the full-size iPad.
- Inflight Internet is flying high: Wi-Fi inflight is top of mind for business travelers when choosing airlines. Close to one-third indicated in-flight Wi-Fi is taken into consideration when choosing which airlines to fly.
- Price awareness: 81 percent believe the cost of mobile data roaming is either “too high,” or “way too high.” In 2012, 20 percent did not have an opinion about roaming prices. This year that figure dropped to 13 percent indicating awareness of the high cost of data roaming is growing.
- Vacation time is connected time: The majority of mobile workers log onto the Internet for business while on holiday. 37 percent report connecting two to five times a day, up from 29 percent at this time last year. The number of users who log in five or more times a day grew from six percent a year ago to 13 percent this year.
- Consequences of a bad experience: 81 percent have had an unsatisfactory experience with hotel Wi-Fi in the past year. 82 percent said free hotel Wi-Fi services to be limited, slow and unreliable and 74 percent say that a bad Wi-Fi experience in a hotel would prevent a return visit.
Business travelers rely on Wi-Fi as a primary source of connectivity, a trend brought on by the widespread use of connected devices and the enterprise applications needed to get the job done. Corporate travelers must maintain seamless connectivity and are driving the demand for hotels, and airlines to provide quality, affordable, and easy-to-use Wi-Fi no matter where they go.
About the Report
The iPass Mobile Workforce Report is based on information gathered in an online survey from over 1,375 respondents who identify as mobile workers at hundreds of enterprises worldwide. iPass asked these respondents about their habits and preferences regarding Wi-Fi, smartphone, and tablet usage, and their feelings about Internet access for these devices for business and leisure travel in hotels around the world. The survey was conducted between June 27, 2013, and July 19, 2013, and represented employees across varied geographies and profile demographics. Their common denominator was that they identified themselves as employees who traveled for business purposes.
About iPass Inc.
iPass helps enterprises and telecom service providers ensure their employees and subscribers stay well connected. Founded in 1996, iPass (NASDAQ: IPAS) delivers the world’s largest commercial-grade Wi-Fi network and trusted connectivity platform. With more than 1.2 million Wi-Fi hotspots across 132 countries and territories, iPass gives its customers always-on, frictionless connectivity for smartphones, tablets and laptops anywhere in the world — simply, securely and cost-effectively. Additional information is available at www.iPass.com or on Smarter Connections, the iPass blog.
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iPass® is a registered trademark of iPass Inc. Wi-Fi® is a registered trademark of the WiFi Alliance. All other trademarks are owned by their respective owners.
Media Contacts:
US
Sarah Duckett, Director, Public Relations
Tel. +1 650-232-4337
Email: pr@ipass.com
Europe
Leila Hajaj, Spark Communications
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7 436 0420
Email: leila@sparkcomms.co.uk