In-Stat, a market research firm, “released a report”:1 stating that consumers still don’t understand the potential of Wi-Fi:
bq. “Consumer electronics vendors have a challenge to educate consumers about Wi-Fi and to overcome the perception that Wi-Fi is simply a data networking technology,” In-Stat analyst Norm Bogen said in a statement. “In-Stat believes the benefits to consumers of Wi-Fi connectivity in consumer electronics devices are significant enough to build a major market segment over the next five years.”
Those of you who are readers of this blog and supporters of Community Wireless groups know that the potential for Wi-Fi lies in its ability to break down barriers between the people living in a local community. It is a fundamentally social technology, especially when used in public spaces. NYCwireless has worked hard to spread this view, especially through the events we hold at our parks, like “Spectropolis”:2.
I think its important for all of us that support Community Wireless to work on educating the general public.
[1]http://www.mobilepipeline.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=169300050
[2]http://www.spectropolis.info
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