14 DAY TRIAL // On Thursday, wireless carrier AT&T reported that the number of Wi-Fi connections made over its US Wi-Fi network, which counts more than 20,000 Wi-Fi hotspots, increased to more than 53.1 million during the first quarter of the ongoing year. According to the company, this marks a growth of almost five times when compared to the same time frame a year ago, while rising to more than half of the 85.5 million total Wi-Fi connections made during 2009.
AT&T’s extensive Wi-Fi network is said to complement the carrier's wireless and wired broadband networks. The company notes that the number of consumers adopting Wi-Fi enabled smartphones and devices is on the rise, adding that they use Wi-Fi hotspots more often to connect while on the go.
According to AT&T, a number of around 32 million AT&T customers had Wi-Fi access included in qualifying smartphone, AT&T High Speed Internet and 3G LaptopConnect plans. The total number of AT&T broadband connections went up by 278,000 in the time frame, reaching 17.5 million in service (both wireline broadband and wireless LaptopConnect cards are included in this figure).
“We know that Wi-Fi is an essential part of our customers’ broadband experience, bridging our wireless and wired broadband networks, and we’re making sure people can connect to Wi-Fi everywhere they live, work and play,” said Angie Wiskocil, senior vice president, AT&T Wi-Fi Services. “Whether you’re at your local coffee shop and need to download a large presentation, or you’re traveling and need to access email at your hotel, AT&T has you covered with our Wi-Fi network.”
US mobile phone users who are AT&T customers can enjoy auto-authentication at AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots on a wide range of popular AT&T smartphones, which delivers an increased degree of convenience. Most of the connections made on the carrier's Wi-Fi network come from smartphones and other integrated devices, the carrier states. 69 percent of Wi-Fi connections were made via such devices in the first quarter of the year, a great increase from the 35 percent registered a year ago.