From Internet to Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi): A Study of Wi-Fi Public Hotspots Users [Part 4].

From Internet to Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi): A Study of Wi-Fi Public Hotspots Users [Part 4].

E. PATRICK UDEH, ABD, MBA.
espatfame@aol.com
Prof_udeh@yahoo.com
pudeh@tourou.edu
epu@berkeleycollege.edu
admin@wstudy.org

New York City
August 20, 2006


Conclusion

Even with the high number of wireless fidelity deployments worldwide, the usage at both commercial and free public hotspots is running below prediction for the technology (Briddlecomb, 2003). Research in the area of wireless fidelity- Internet access acceptance and adoption is sketchy; therefore, it has become imperative to understand the factors that affect the users? acceptance and adoption of wireless fidelity Internet access and the reasons for the lower than predicted number of users in both commercial and free Wi-Fi public hotspots.

The objective of this study is to better understand the adoption, user characteristics, and usage patterns of commercial and free wireless fidelity public hotspot users. In doing so, this study intends to draw upon several well-established initial acceptance models specifically: the technology acceptance model (TAM) (Davis, 1989) rooted in the theory of reasoned action (TRA), the theory of planned behavior, an extension of TRA, and the diffusion of innovation theory (DIT) by Rogers (1983, 1995, 2003). This study will further incorporate the concepts of disruptive technology (DT) presented by Christensen (1997) and to ascertain whether lower than anticipated rates of the usage of public wireless fidelity hotspots is affected by the disruptive effects of substitute products such as 3G Internet accessing cell phones with wireless application protocol.

This research will provide data to: (a) contrast wireless fidelity acceptance, adoption and use in commercial and free public hotspots; (b) inform as to whether the user characteristics and usage pattern data matches well with existing academic theories and models of earlier adopters? behavior; and (c) assess whether usage rates in both settings are affected by the disruptive technology characteristics of other substitute products, such as 3G Internet accessing cell phones.

To shed lights on the usage of Wi-Fi, we are currently collecting data for this study at ----visit

www.wstudy.org

click -- Wi-Fi Survey. If you have used Wi-Fi Public Hotspot go to the site above and participate. There is a Dollar donation to charitable organization of your choice for completing the survey. For questions and information send an e-mail to pudeh@tourou.edu or admin@wstudy.org .

E. Patrick Udeh,ABD . MBA, teaches at Touro University and Berkeley College, New York City.
Current research study is titled;
?A comparison of User Characteristics and Usage Patterns of Commercial and Free Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) Public Hotspots Users?.