According to a recent report issued by the Wi-Fi application vendor, Devicescape, most smartphone users, namely 81 percent, would prefer Wi-Fi in the detriment of 3G for browsing the Web, downloading data, sending emails or making Google searches. At the same time, 86 percent of users stated that they would like OEMs to build Wi-Fi into their handsets, while 82 percent of them would want an overall 3G/Wi-Fi data package to be offered by their service provider.

The report also shows that around 84 percent of the respondents are in favor of a citywide Wi-Fi and that almost 56 percent would be willing to pay for the service as for any other utility. An impressive number of Wi-Fi users, namely 91 percent, expect Wi-Fi while on the road and when traveling, while the commonly used devices to access the service are smartphones and not laptops.

“This data reflects the fact that people recognize that Wi-Fi - a technology they know and love on PCs and home entertainment systems - is also a great way to stay connected with their handsets,” said Kelly Davis-Felner, marketing director of the Wi-Fi Alliance. “Wi-Fi delivers a terrific user experience for web surfing, downloading multimedia content, and doing voice calls, so it has become a must-have feature on all the coolest phones.”

Operators are also reported to increasingly opt for Wi-Fi as a result of the great popularity smartphones have seen lately. Carriers' 3G networks have seen great demand in what streaming video, online gaming and daily downloads are concerned. At the same time, the data traffic could be transferred to Wi-Fi networks, which would provide faster speeds at lower costs. Operators and OEMs are reported to work together for integrating Wi-Fi capabilities within new devices, while users are encouraged to take advantage of the service on their smartphones.

At the same time, Wi-Fi on smartphones is not a well-known area for users, who could find it difficult to connect to a network. Given the fact that more and more consumers adopt the technology, the need for seamless connectivity is a noticeable one. According to the Devicescape Wi-Fi Report, most consumers were frustrated by the “complicated login screens” they met when trying to connect to a hotspot. At the same time, 90 percent of them would like to be able to roam between 3G and Wi-Fi networks seamlessly.