Smartphone users want more Wi-Fi services, survey finds

The emergence of smartphones as everyday tools for business employees has led to increased demands for Wi-Fi capabilities.

A study of 330 U.S. smartphone users conducted by MarketTools Zoomerang and commissioned by Kineto Wireless found 78 percent are interested in using an application to obtain five bars of coverage at home or in the office. Eighty-eight percent of respondents said they would like their mobile operators to provide them a service that would offer discounted calling when their devices are connected to Wi-Fi.

Business employees are increasingly looking for new mobile management tools to allow them to complete business tasks more conveniently using their smartphones. As many workers rely on their devices while on the go, having improved Wi-Fi options would enable them to complete web-needed tasks more efficiently.

The survey found 43 percent of smartphone owners with Wi-Fi use it every day, with 45 percent of those respondents saying they use it for faster internet access. Nearly 24 percent of respondents said they think Wi-Fi is annoying because it is only offered in limited areas, signaling a desire for broader Wi-Fi service.

Companies that distribute smartphones to their workers may want to consider exploring new Wi-Fi opportunities for their workers to offer them increased flexibility and greater mobile management. Improving wireless capabilities may mean more presence on corporate networks, which may require more enterprise security solutions.