One of the big reasons consumers are suddenly so nuts about mobile Internet – compared with, say, pre-iPhone (News - Alert) days – is because WiFi is so pervasive … and so fast.
So fast, in fact, that AT&T Inc.’s CEO Randall Stephenson told investors Tuesday he expects users of Apple (News - Alert) Inc.’s iPad to mostly connect to the Internet using sort-range WiFi (News - Alert) networks rather than AT&T’s cellular network.
The upshot? Fewer new subscribers to AT&T’s cellular service.
According to reports, while AT&T (News - Alert) has agreed to provide wireless connections to the
iPad tablet computer, Stephenson said he doesn’t believe the device to result in many new service subscriptions for AT&T as consumers will instead use WiFi or prepaid services.
“My expectation is that there's not going to be a lot of people out there looking for another subscription,” he said during a webcast of an investor conference, adding that the device would be a mainly “WiFi driven product.”
AT&T’s prediction is adds to the flurry of good news for WiFi technology stakeholders, who’ve seen a lot of interest in the technology since the official release of the super-fast 802.11n specification.
WiFi is also making headways in the transportation markets – on trains and planes where consumer and business users will probably be toting their iPads, Macbooks, Kindles and more.
Amtrak this week announced the rollout of wireless Internet access on all 20 of its Acela Express trains between Washington, D.C., and Boston and in the six major stations between both destinations. And last week, Alaska Airlines joined the ranks of airlines offering WiFi service to customers, announcing that Aircell’s Gogo In-flight Internet service will soon be available on all Alaska’s aircraft – starting this month.
Marisa Torrieri is a TMCnet Web editor, covering IP hardware and mobility, including IP phones, smartphones, fixed-mobile convergence and satellite technology. She also compiles and regularly contributes to TMCnet's gadgets and satellite e-Newsletters. To read more of Marisa's articles, please visit her columnist page.Edited by Marisa Torrieri
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