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February 26, 2007
Wireless Use Growing
A new report from PEW Internet in American Life tells us that wireless use is growing and I think it's bigger than I suspected ...
"Some 34% of internet users have logged onto the internet using a wireless connection
either around the house, at their workplace, or some place else. In other words, one-third
of internet users, either with a laptop computer, a handheld personal digital assistant
(PDA), or cell phone, have surfed the internet or checked email using means such as
WiFi broadband or cell phone networks."
"Users of wireless access show deeper engagement with cyberspace – at least when
focusing on two basic online activities, email and news. Among the 34% of internet users
who have gone online wirelessly:
72% of wireless users check email on the typical day, compared to 63% of home broadband users and 54% of all internet users.
46% get news online on the typical day, compared to 38% of home broadband users and 31% of all internet users.
The differences between wireless and home broadband users are statistically significant and notable because most wireless users (80%) have broadband connections at home. The findings suggest that the “relentless connectivity” afforded by wireless access represents a different quality in online behavior.1 It is possible – even likely – that lifestyle circumstances such as one’s job may require lots of email connectivity and associated wireless access. But the boundaries between checking email on a portable device for work or personal purposes can be very blurry; having such work-driven access may foster greater frequency of personal emailing or other kinds of online activities.
Half of wireless users (57%) access the Internet outside of home/work environments. This would include hotels, coffee shops and other service environments, libraries, and the growing number of municipal wireless regions.
So, I and SD see opportunities here. During the next period of maybe a decade when wireless access points will be spotty, libraries have a great opportunity to connect users with information. You could even make the wireless hotspot homepage your library homepage - especially designed for wireless users.
I kow of at least one library that has users piled up on their stoop and parked in the lot - when they're closed - connecting to the library wireless!
This cohort is too big to ignore.
Stephen
* Horrigan, John. “Wireless Internet Access.” Reports: Internet Evolution. 25 Feb 2007. PEW Internet in American Life Project. 26 Feb 2007 <http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/203/report_display.asp>.
Posted by stephen at February 26, 2007 9:04 AM
Comments
I think it's great that citizens can have access to a library's wifi at any time, day or night, open or closed. But, I hope that the library has told their local police that it's OK:
http://www.librarian.net/stax/1983
Posted by: Christa at February 27, 2007 9:10 AM