Survey: Wi-Fi becoming smartphone must-have

More and more people expect Wi-Fi from their cell phones, according to a survey released Wednesday by ABI Research.

The survey was conducted in February, with more than 1,000 U.S. mobile-phone users between the ages of 18 and 59 participating.

A Windows Mobile smartphone with Wi-Fi connectivity.

(Credit: CNET)

The results showed that 77 percent of people with Wi-Fi-enabled mobile phones are completely or very satisfied with their devices. Among those who have Wi-Fi on their phones, 74 percent use the feature, and 77 percent say they will also seek Wi-Fi connectivity in their next phone.

According to the study, about 44 percent of smartphones currently have the Wi-Fi feature. This figure is expected to increase to 90 percent by 2014. This is interesting, as almost 60 percent of those owning Wi-Fi-enabled phones have had their phones for less than a year.

These findings fall in line with a report earlier this year by the Wi-Fi Alliance stating that despite the economic downturn, the Wi-Fi industry would continue to grow. The Wi-Fi Alliance tests and issues the Wi-Fi Certified certification to ensure that Wi-Fi products from different vendors can work well with one another.

According to Edgar Figueroa, executive director of the Wi-Fi Alliance, since 2000, the group has completed more than 5,000 certifications of consumer and enterprise devices. To date, 311 handsets--including smartphones--have been recognized as Wi-Fi Certified.

Personally, I think that Wi-Fi connectivity is a great feature for smartphones, as long as vendors can solve the problem of the feature draining a phone's battery quickly. Nonetheless, I use my iPhone 3G's Wi-Fi features all the time--especially considering that my phone's 3G mode hardly works well in the San Francisco Bay Area.

How about you? Which Wi-Fi phone do you use, and how often do you turn the Wi-Fi feature on?

[seven7dust]

more like touchscreens are becoming the must have for smartphones
tell me why we need wi-fi on a keypad device again ?

[blackcoffeenosugar]

Maybe for us from the other side of the pond that doesn't have the option of unlimited 3G.

[Renegade Knight]

WiFi Connectivity. I already pay for a WiFi connection. No need to pay for internet twice unless my life demands that I have access where I don't have WiFi.

[tjcs]

My wi-fi "smartphone" [surely we will come up with a better name] is indispensable. Without lugging around my laptop, I can check email, access the web, and even access my desktop computer screen nd all its files and apps (using RemoteTap) from anywhere. It's the way of the future.

[Marcia Boone]

I use iPhone all the time. I may go almost a week without using my MacBook. I will not even take the laptop with me to the next business meeting. iPhone is able to handle everything I need. Several apps have made it possible to keep word documents of information ready for reviewing. Files are available through MobilMe. My calendar is always with me, and because of iPhone, my pocketbook is much lighter.

[JRKhoury]

I have an HTC Touch HD and because it doesn't support the 3G bands here in Montreal, I am forced to use Wi-Fi instead. This is actually a good thing. Data plans are ridiculously expensive. The Wi-Fi is great as long as there aren't too many people in one room (Uni lecture halls can be ridiculous). Also the phone's screen is magnificent for web browsing, If only it had flash...

[codynews]

Seems like some of the comments are talking about wireless devices in general.

I have an iphone and never use the wifi, and I check e-mail constantly, maps, online apps, etc. Maybe they should have specifically asked if wifi was important if your phone had 3g.

I'm only looking to ever use wifi to use skype to make international calls (or use the phone overseas via skype) since AT&T kills you for using your phone out of the country or making calls from the US to out of the US.

[directorblue]

Shhh... no one tell the big carrier that starts with V.

They don't want to actually help consumers get more out of their phone. That would contravene their mission statement:

* Shut down
* Lock out
* Overcharge
* Wall off

[Grant_D]

I've got a Tmobile (HTC) Shadow and I only use the wifi connection. With a wifi connection at home, work, and school I have a really hard time justifying the 100% increase in my phone bill, particularly for a slower connection. It does drain the battery though, the author was right about that. As long as it gets me through the day I don't really care too much about that.

[CaptThom]

My Blackbery Bold's wifi feature has been a real help on more than one occasion. I wouldn't buy a phone now that didn't have the wifi feature.

[Stormspace]

The biggest problem I see with WiFi enabled phones is the cell phone carriers. For instance, on AT&T even on phones that do not require a data plan to purchase them , like the LG Incite, to use the Wifi features you have to purchase a data plan. It would be nice if Wifi was enabled on these phones in such a way that you wouldn't accidentally incur data charges if you weren't near an access point. Currently however they are requiring extra money to access a network that isn't theirs and cost them only a lost sale of data, not any actual loses.

[Pepe7]

Incorrect. ATT doesn't make you pay for a data plan just to use wifi. You can alter the phone settings so it does not automatically connect to their 3G network when you move away from your home or work wifi. Head over to howardforums.com for more specifics on how to configure your phone properly, and learn more about the actual device data plan requirements.

[umbrae]

I love Wi-Fi on my phone. US cell providers rip people off with data plans and txt msging, and I do not use any of it. Free hot spots work fine for me and I sync stuff up when I hit one.

[tecmic]

I agree, I wouldn't consider a mobile without WiFi now. I have WiFi on permantly on my iPhone3G. Bluetooth is also on permantly and I the battery charge will last about 2 days. (Not good when compared with other mobiles.)
Also, I too experience unreliable signal when out of town or city, yet my wife's N95 has no problem!!!

[FearNo1]

I guess the BB Storm is not so "smart"...

[gerickson1]

I WOULD buy a Wi-Fi enabled phone, but currently, Verizon requires a $30/month data plan for all Wi-Fi enabled phones. I'd prefer to have Wi-Fi without 3G since I'm a college student and my campus is completely wireless (thus, I could get free Internet everywhere on-campus with just Wi-Fi). Obviously, $30/month for a data plan you wouldn't need or use does not fit into a college student's budget. I wish Verizon would allow users to use Wi-Fi phones without a data plan...I would immediately buy one. For now, I'm looking into an iPod Touch, which has Wi-Fi and it would be a one-time cost of less than $200 on eBay.

[alokka]

Wi-Fi is agreeable must have for me also. Now with Skype and other SIP services emerging, it's easier to make calls and faster browing via wi-fi than regualr phone.