Wireless Internet Gains Momentum in the U.S.

Some 34% of Internet users have logged onto the Internet using a wireless connection either around the house, at their workplace, or some place else. In other words, one-third of Internet users, either with a laptop computer, a handheld personal digital assistant (PDA), or cell phone, have surfed the Internet or checked email using means such as Wi-Fi broadband or cell phone networks, Pew Internet & American Life Project has published based on survey conducted in December 2006.

In February 2004, 22% of Internet users said they connected wirelessly, so there is clearly some growth in wireless connectivity in recent years, the Research Center concluded.

Regarding laptop computers, four in ten (39%) Internet users have notebooks and of these users, 80% say their laptops can connect to the Internet on a wireless network. Most of the time, those with wireless enabled laptops connect to a wireless network at home, although most of them also have logged on from someplace other than work or home.

Specifically, among laptop users whose machines are capable of connecting to the Internet wirelessly:
- 88% of laptop users have at one time logged on using a home wireless network.
- 57% have used a wireless network someplace other than home or work to connect to the Internet.
- 36% have logged using a wireless network at work.

According to Pew Internet & American Life Project, the growth in wireless networks at home has undoubtedly fuelled the use of laptops to connect wirelessly around the house. One in five (19%) of Internet users have wireless networks at home, which is twice the number recorded when the Pew Internet Project asked this question in January 2005, when 10% of Internet users had home wireless networks.