WLAN in Demand on Business Trips

More than one-third of people on business trips are interested in WLAN or are already applying this technology. The most important thing for laptops and transmission speed is access to internet. A study of Simon Kucher & Partner asserts that we can only explain why hotspots are so hot if we examine the travelling habits of so-called high-potential users.

It states that as much as 90 percent of professional WLAN users prefer flat rates and time-based budget rates, while occasional users prefer to pay as you go. As far as prices are concerned, business travellers think an hourly rate of 3.50 euros is reasonable, although that's way below normal market rates. Other results of the study indicate that hotels, airports and fair grounds are the three most important WLAN access locations for business travellers.

WLAN on-the-move in aeroplanes and trains is in 4 th and 5 th place while WLAN in cafés and restaurants doesn't interest business travellers in the least. Eran Bar-Am from Simon Kucher & Partner explains that „WLAN is not compatible with a „get in and out quick business model. Besides, there are two factors that figure prominently with McDonald's that other suppliers should keep in mind in their deployment and roaming strategy: namely, the total number and the predictability of the hotspot locations."

At the moment, business travellers always have to find out in advance on their route where they can log in by WLAN. However, in order to simplify the communication in the WLAN deal while allowing spontaneous usage, it is necessary to have a clearly structured and comprehensible hotspot deployment plan. This is the reason why all WLAN suppliers have to sign roaming and revenue-sharing treaties to work together.