iPhone users love their Wi-Fi

A new report from the mobile advertising company Admob says that 42 percent of iPhone Internet requests came from Wi-Fi hot spots rather than AT&T's 3G wireless network in November. This is quite a bit higher than most Wi-Fi capable phones, which typically average about 10 to 20 percent.

(Credit: Apple)

Several bloggers say they think iPhone users are gravitating toward Wi-Fi more because AT&T's 3G network is not up to snuff. Om Malik at GigaOm said AT&T's 3G service was as unpredictable as Lindsay Lohan's mood.

But I don't really think that is the issue. Personally, I haven't had many problems accessing the data network from my iPhone in New York City. I have had dropped calls. But for the most part, whether I'm on Wi-Fi or AT&T's 3G network, downloading e-mail or accessing the Web from my phone works pretty well.

I think there are two reasons why iPhone users are opting for Wi-Fi when it's available. And these reasons could provide some interesting lessons for phone manufacturers and wireless carriers.

For one, accessing a Wi-Fi access point on the iPhone is easy. I have Wi-Fi access turned on on my phone. Whenever I fire up the browser or download e-mail, a list of available networks pops up. If I'm home or in a network I've already been on, most times the phone will automatically connect via Wi-Fi instead of the 3G network. I don't have to really think about it. It just happens. So most times, as a user, I'm not consciously deciding to use Wi-Fi or not.

But whether I choose a Wi-Fi network or not, downloads from the Wi-Fi network are noticeably faster, which is why I have the Wi-Fi option turned on in the first place.

So what does this really mean for wireless operators? I think it's pretty obvious. Wireless users want fast networks, especially when they're using a device like the iPhone, which is made for the Internet. They want to browse Web pages and download e-mails quickly. If Wi-Fi is the fastest network available, then people will use it. If AT&T is able to significantly increase the speeds on its network, which the company promises it will do soon, then people will use that network.

I also think Admob's findings might serve as a cautionary signal to Verizon Wireless, which has opted not to support Wi-Fi on some of its hottest phones, such as the BlackBerry Storm. Verizon said the Storm, which is a touch screen smartphone that competes head-to-head with the iPhone, didn't include Wi-Fi support because it would eat up too much battery life and make the device too bulky.

But I think the lack of Wi-Fi may prove to be a negative for the Strorm, as it could be one factor that pushes some consumers toward the iPhone, if they're considering both devices. The thing is I'm not really sure why Verizon is resisting Wi-Fi. It's true that a device with Wi-Fi capability may access free hot spots rather than the 3G cellular network, but since AT&T and Verizon Wireless require customers sign up for data plans when they purchase these devices, I don't see the carriers really losing any money if consumers use free Wi-Fi hot spots for data downloads. In fact, the carriers may actually benefit from their customers using Wi-Fi more, because it puts less strain on their wireless data networks.

The real issue could be that Verizon is afraid of voice over IP services like Skype and Truphone, which allow users to bypass the carrier network to make free and low-cost phone calls.

[ballmerisanape]

Maybe these numbers include the iPod touch? The touch is selling like hot cakes...

[sythara]

Not likely. I mean how con you confuse the two?

[SeizeCTRL]

@ sythara

what do you mean? they are almost the exact same device minus the phone. I'm sure anyone picking up web stats will not really be able to tell the deference between Safari on the iPod Touch and Safari on the iPhone. Unless you are looking for the phone ear piece at the top, you really can't tell the difference between the two.

[Vegaman_Dan]

The Touch and iPhone both only report themselves as Safari running on a portable device. The stats don't differentiate between the two. That said, there aren't nearly enough Touch units out there to really skew the numbers that much.

[SteenMachine]

ballmerisanape is correct (on both comment and screen name).

The iPod touch users are included and could be significantly adding to the numbers. According to most analysts, iPod projected sales this quarter are ~ 20MM, while iPhone are should be around AAPL's last quarter (~6.x MM). How many of the 20MM iPods are Touches? Given the number of commercials I see on TV, plus the lower price points, 40% (8MM) seems quite reasonable.

[rshah29]

Please gravitate towards the fastest available speeds. If WiFi is available and your iPhone can get onto it easily, why not?

As for Verizon fearing VoIP services, we're too late in the 2000s to be afraid of new technology eating our lunch. You either adopt or lose. Case in point: music labels failing to adopt digital music.

If Verizon is truly afraid, they will eventually lose the battle.

[drhamad]

I also use wifi on my iPhone because it drains the battery significantly more slowly than does 3G.

[slickuser]

That's because AT&T's 3G network sucks!!!

[ntodorov]

I had some thoughts about Storm vs iPhone but without WiFi - forget it!!!
How it is possible RIM to do such a bad decision?!?

I have a friend that have blocked its 3G data connection and uses iPhone browsing only with WiFi. This speaks by it self.

[aaydogan]

Lack of Wi-Fi is one of the Blackberry Storm's greatest shortcomings. The combination of a dead slow interface and no Wi-Fi should kill this iPhone pretender early on in the running. Oh, what phone do I use? Verizon Blackberry 8830. I want an iPhone, but not AT&T. (a replaceable battery and cut/paste functionality wouldn't hurt either) I guess I just want it all: touch screen, wi-fi, bluetooth, speed of use and speed of connectivity, great coverage (domestically and internationally) and a reasonable price (initial cost and usage costs).

My two cents!

[Xedous]

The reason more users are using Wi-Fi is because they are hanging out at Starbucks all day, writing their epic novels on their Macbooks, with their cardigan sweaters draped over their shoulder, drinking the venti-triple-mocha-sugar-free-non-fat-latte. ;) I kid, I kid.

[Cheetahjab]

but you don't kid, it's sadley true

[SeizeCTRL]

The whole reason I bought an iPod Touch was because my crappy little Instinct lacks WiFi. For the most part, I have to give credit for Sprint on at least trying to fix all the issues with the Instinct, but it came too late as I had already purchased the iPod Touch to make up for all the shortcomings of the Instinct.

Any time I am at WiFi, I don't even bother pulling out my phone and going 3g... it's right to the iPod Touch and using WiFi for a lot of the same reasons above... speed and reliability.

[davg]

Not only is WiFi much faster and more reliable than 3G, when available, but it also saves on data roaming charges when in other countries. I would never consider a non-WiFi phone, as data roaming charges are prohibitive when travelling and WiFi is the obvious solution. Verizon may think its going to make money by forcing its users to pay huge data roaming changes, but all it means is that any knowledgeable user will avoid Verizon altogether.

[gefitz]

Uh, this is news? And, wouldn't AT&T actually like to see some of their customers (a lot of whom pay a flat rate for "unlimited" data) do MORE over WiFi? I mean, at this point, the speeds of 3G, plus the limitation of not (legally or practically)) being able to stream audio/video relegates 3G to not much more than a backup in many situations anyway.

[AppleSuxLeo]

Customer response to new BlackBerrys such as the Storm and Bold prompted RIM to issue guidance way above previous expectations despite the economy.
I love it. Apple must hate this news as their stock has taken a beating lately , and it shows Mr Smug the iPhone isn`t the only game in town.

[jejmonte]

Wi-fi is also a good thing for someone that travels alot, as more and more airlines are starting to roll out wifi. I wuld be hppy to just use my BB rather then my laptop to answer emails. Hopefully the Iphone will come out sooner then later on Verizon, as I am not a big fan of the Storm.

[irondog1970]

I don't use 3G simply because I still have a 1st gen iPhone. I'm waiting for AT&T to beef up their 3G before paying more for less service.

As for Verizon, I agree with the poster who said that if Verizon is fighting technology, they will ultimately lose (rshah29). Users of Blackberry are already paying for the Verizon monthly contract as well as the data plan option, so they are already making their money. As Princess Leah said, the more you tighten your grip, the more star systems you'll let slip through your fingers.

Or as any gambler in Vegas will tell you, know when enough is enough.

[Amyaz]

I was traveling in Argentina with a friend. I had an iphone, she had a blackberry. She expected to be able to use it the entire trip, but there was never a network available. I had brought my phone for use as a music player - and wound up having wifi access almost everywhere we went! And it didn't cost me a dime. The experience left me a very happy iphone owner.

[project10]

I agree with the ease of WiFi connection reason, I own a Samsung i600 and I have to jump through (slow) hoops to make it connect to WiFi, even to the point of turning off the mobile part, that's just bad UID.

[cabrillo24]

If you could use Wifi over 3G why not? I like having that functionality. I was shocked to hear the Storm lacking this feature.

[iBuzz]

I can't understand Verizon's resistance to WiFi on its phones. With more and more people wanting to listen to Internet radio, watch videos, download apps, and surf on their larger-screen phones, WiFi provides a way to relieve the burden from the cellular network.

The majority of my iPhone data use is done through WiFi either in the office or at home. If I want to check the weather, movie times, sports scores, pick a restaurant, etc., it's just so much easier to pick up my phone to do these things. That info is always a button tap away. And most times I'm either home or in the office when I'm doing these things.