ANTenna Blog -- Mobile

Traveling on business and need a quick and easy way to access your company network? Well, plenty of options -- more than 1 billion -- are now available, so it should be relatively simple for you to make the connection.

Market research firm In-Stat expects that Wi-Fi hotspot deployments will increase by close to 50% in 2009 and offer users more than 1.2 billion connections worldwide. As they try to offload traffic from their overworked cellular networks, mobile operators are one group pushing acceptance. For instance, AT&T is expected to see 500% growth in the use of its network.

As they try to offload traffic from their overworked cellular networks, mobile operators are one group pushing acceptance. For instance, AT&T is expected to see 500% growth in the use of its network.

The trend represents good news/bad news for small and medium businesses. The growing popularity of Wi-Fi hotspots makes it more likely that employees can find a place to connect to the office when away and remain productive. However, the trend also increases the likelihood that employees will rely on non-sanctioned communication lines to conduct their business. The level of security offered in hotspots can vary dramatically, so businesses have to make sure that their communications remain secure.

There are a few steps that they can take to keep their connections secure. Hotspot usage policies offer a means to alert users to the potential security problems. In addition, companies can take steps, such as making sure that all office communications take place over a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to lower the likelihood of outsider interference. Hotspot usage is one more item that the small and medium business IT department must manage.