Telecoms Tech

A report from iPass has noted consumer dissatisfaction with slow Wi-Fi connections while praising their resourcefulness, among other trends.

The report, titled “Understanding Mobility Trends and Mobile Usage Among Business Users”, examined trends in “globally mobile” users, and how they influence the “always-on mobile worker”, emphasising the 24/7 nature of mobile workers.

A startling 88% of those surveyed stated that wireless access was near to or as important in their lives as running water or electricity.

Evidently, when something is as important as that, if it doesn’t work patience levels aren’t going to be high.

Results in the second quarter found that 69% of respondents had complained about slow Wi-Fi, and 43% had griped about slow 3G and 4G, subsequently disrupting productivity.

The report noted that mobile users were “a resourceful group” finding various ways to get around the problem with increasing degrees of desperation. These ranged from driving around to find free Wi-Fi (30%), to standing outside a retail store or café (50%), to paying “an outrageous fee” (54%).

The report also examined varying degrees of “bill shock”, with, perhaps unsurprisingly, data roaming charges attributed as the main reason for the unexpected price hikes. In Asia, 38% of those contacted had experienced bill shock, compared to 33% and 32% for Europe and America respectively.

The report noted: “The cost of data roaming is astronomical and is generally hidden in expense reports,” adding “Many companies have insufficient visibility into their network costs and amy be spending far more on network costs than they actually need to”.

However, the European figures especially could see a decrease by the next results as TELCOs try to adjust to new EU regulations concerning roaming fees. 

The report concludes: “While a large number of mobile workers frequently travel globally, mobile workers who travel domestically also think globally.

“They are an incredibly resourceful group of people who will do whatever it takes to get the job done—whether that’s driving to the foot of a cell tower or standing outside a coffee shop just to get network access,” it added.

Are mobile workers asking too much from TELCOs and wireless operators with a completely consistent 24/7 service? But with wireless access as important as it is, are the stakes high enough to warrant such demands?