Today we wrap up our series on how Wi-Fi, mobile data and mobile devices are evolving with a summary and some predictions. When we started this discussion, we expressed our surprise at the low take rate (1%) among AT&T mobility users who employ AT&T hotspots as a way to offload their mobile data plans.
We also observed that the growing number of public Wi-Fi hotspots like those provided by CableWiFi in tandem with “share everything” mobile data plans continue to have a defining effect on BYOD and tablet adoption, encouraging users to increasingly rely on mobile devices for data-centric applications.
REVIEW: Wi-Fi, mobile data, BYOD and tablets — an interesting puzzle: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
Then we asserted that the BYOD (bring your own data) trend is evolving into BYOT (bring your own tablet), with BYOT effecting mobile UC in a way that is at least as profound as today’s trend for employees to use their own personal smartphones as a business tool.
Next, we surmised tablets will be especially useful for mobile video and collaboration when users are away from the desktop, although most voice calls will still rely on a desktop phone or smartphone.
And in our last newsletter, we pointed out some obvious roadblocks with public Wi-Fi access that could slow the usefulness of mobile devices for unified communications.
So now we must ask three questions: When will users abandon laptops for tablet computers? When will users rely entirely on mobile devices for all their unified communications needs –including voice, video and collaboration? When will secure and easily managed handoffs occur between Wi-Fi and Mobile data networks?
The answer to all of three questions: Not anytime soon. However, we do see the day when each of these three things will become a reality. We also continue to assert that improved security and management of mobile data networks and Wi-Fi are synergistic to making each of these a reality. And we think the throttle on all of this is the capacity for collaborative effort between mobile device manufacturers, network service providers and private IT managers.
