Individual Members 

Member Surveys

The Wireless Internet

Nov 2004, by Michael R. Nelson, VP of Public Policy

New wireless Internet technologies such as WiFi and WiMax offer new and often less expensive ways to get connected to the Internet. In the United States and elsewhere, Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs) are helping "connect the unconnected," particularly in rural areas. This survey is designed to see how enthusiastic ISOC members are about the different types of wireless Internet technologies. In addition, it seeks to determine whether national governments are promoting wireless technologies. The spread of WiFi and other wireless technologies can be either helped or hindered by governments. For instance, in the United States, several towns and cities are funding efforts to provide WiFi access free-of-charge to their citizens. At the same time, some U.S. state governments are passing laws to prohibit such municipal projects, which have been opposed by commercial ISPs. Thank you for taking a few minutes to fill out this survey.

1. Do you own equipment for (mark all that apply)

a) WiFi
b) Bluetooth
c) Cellular data networking (e.g. CDMA)
d) Broadband wireless (E.G. EVDO)
e) Fixed wireless
f) Satellite Internet service

2. Have you used the following technologies (mark all that apply) and if so what has been your experience?

Critical for my job Very useful Useful Nice but not necessary Not useful Impractical Haven't tried it

a) WiFi
b) Bluetooth
c) Cellular data networking (e.g. CDMA)
d) Broadband wireless (E.G. EVDO)
e) Fixed wireless
f) Satellite Internet service

3. If you are not a WiFi user, why not? (mark all that apply)

a) Not widespread in my area
b) Too expensive
c) Unreliable
d) I don't need it
e) Too difficult to use
f) Security concerns
g) Too slow
h) Government Regulation

4. If you are not using other wireless technologies (CDMA, EVDO, etc.), why not? (mark all that apply)

a) Not widespread in my area
b) Too expensive
c) Unreliable
d) I don't need it
e) Too difficult to use
f) Security concerns
g) Too slow
h) Government Regulation

5. In which region are you located:

Africa
Asia
Australia/Oceania
Europe
Latin America
North America

6. Which of the following technologies do you think will be ubiquitous in your area in 5 years?

Definitely Probably Possibly Unlikely Definitely not Don't know

WiFi
WiMax
Cellular data networking
Broadband wireless
Fixed wireless
Satellite Internet service

7. Has your national government taken actions to promote wireless Internet technologies?

No, it has blocked efforts to deploy many wireless Internet technologies
No, it has not enabled deployment of wireless Internet technologies
Yes, it has made spectrum available and taken other actions to enable wireless Internet technologies
Yes, it has aggressively promoted wireless Internet technologies.

8. What country do you live in? (optional)

SURVEY RESULTS

Summary of Results

Seventy responses were received to the Cyber Survey #15 ‘The Wireless Internet' sent out in November 2004. It is important to note that 50% of the responses came from Europe, another 35% from North America. The remaining 15% came from countries in Africa, Latin America and Australia/Oceania.

All of those who responded to the survey own wireless equipment, most of them multiple devices. WiFi is the most popular (35% own WiFi equipment) and most useful technology. Almost 55% view it as very useful. For 18% it is even critical for their job. Of the other technologies listed Satellite services have been used the least (66% have not tried it), followed by Broadband wireless (52% have not tried it) and Fixed wireless (41% have not tried it).

The reasons mentioned for not using WiFi (or other wireless technologies) are ‘I don't need it' or ‘not widespread in my area'.

Most people (58%) believe that WiFi will definitely be widely used in 5 years; 52% believe Cellular networks will be ubiquitous within the next 5 years. Also broadband wireless rates very high with 33% voting for ‘definitely', 22% for ‘probably' and another 33% for ‘possibly'.

When asked whether national governments have taken actions to promote wireless Internet technologies in the country, 62% confirmed that their government has made spectrum available and taken other actions to enable wireless Internet technologies. 25% reports that their government has not enabled deployment of wireless Internet technologies and 9% know that their government has blocked efforts to deploy wireless Internet technologies.

Thank you to all who took the time to complete the survey.