Low Cost and fast speed make Wi-Fi more favored by users than cellular networks

Smartphone and tablet users prefer wi-fi connection instead of cellular connection, and think that Wi-Fi connection is cheaper, faster, easier to use, and more reliable than cellular connection, it is even safer.

This is the result of a Cisco research team's online survey of March this year U.S. mobile users in 1079. Most experts believe that 4g lte and other cellular networks are more secure than Wi-Fi networks.

Stuart Taylor, head of Cisco Internet commerce solutions Division, who conducted the survey, said the unexpected thing is that although the cellular network is safer, wi-Fi networks are considered as good or even better as cellular networks.

Taylor said that using a password can make the Wi-Fi network more secure. However, it is generally believed that the use of cellular networks is not prone to sniffing and other attacks.

However, the survey found that 35% of smartphone and tablet users believe that Wi-Fi networks are the safest, and 34% of respondents believe that cellular networks are the safest. In addition to providing better coverage for cellular networks, a few respondents said that Wi-Fi networks are more ideal than cellular networks, it is mainly because of low cost, fast speed, reliability, and good application performance and ease of use. Cisco pointed out that with the emergence of more hot spots, Wi-Fi coverage is improving.

Taylor pointed out that the results reflect the growth of Wi-Fi in recent years, which has been widely used in homes, public gathering sites, and offices and enterprises. Not long ago, some cellular service providers opposed smart phones working on Wi-Fi networks.

The survey found that smartphone users who have already paid for their cellular services spend an average of 1/3 of their time using Wi-Fi networks. Cisco predicts that within two years, smartphone users will spend half of their time accessing the Wi-Fi network and half of their time using the cellular network.

Cisco also found that about half of tablet computers, laptops, and e-book readers are already connected through a Wi-Fi network. Consider one option. Users of more than 80% tablet computers, laptops, and e-book readers can choose Wi-Fi networks instead of cellular networks, or have no preference.

Cellular operators have realized that Wi-Fi networks can be a supplement to their networks, especially when their networks are crowded. Emerging standards such as hotspot 2.0 (or PassPoint) will simplify the identification of smartphones entering the Wi-Fi area.

Taylor said that the retail environment has truly promoted Wi-Fi network applications. Some retailers have noticed that shoppers carry smartphones and other mobile devices. Retailers can provide sales information and internal guidance information to these devices without relying on fixed service desks that occupy the store area and are expensive.

According to Taylor, in general, the survey shows that Wi-Fi networks are viable competitors for cellular networks. As carriers limit their cellular network data service plans, Wi-Fi networks will become more valuable.