Wi-Fi hotpsots will be phased out
The popularity of Wi-Fi hotspots is set to dwindle as mobile internet services improve.
Johan Bergendahl, chief marketing officer of Ericsson, believes that faster connections via mobile devices will significantly lessen business and
consumer need for Wi-Fi availability in public spaces.
Speaking at the European Computer
Audit, Control and Security Conference in Stockholm, he commented: "In Austria they are saying that mobile broadband will pass fixed broadband this year. It's already growing faster and
in Sweden the most popular phone is a USB modem.
"Hotspots at places like Starbucks are becoming the telephone boxes of the broadband era."
However, Bergendahl said that the increased use of the internet via mobile devices will be dependent on issues such as network coverage and roaming charges.
"Industry will have to solve the international roaming issue. Carriers need to work together. It can be as simple as paying €10 (£7.60) per day when you are abroad."
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