Travelers have a new favorite companion the Wi-Fi-enabled notebook computer
by Stewart Schley

Wi-Fi Alliance survey results detail how Wi-Fi helps people connect wirelessly from tens of thousands of locations around the globe.

Austin, Texas, Dec. 13, 2005 -- A new Wi-Fi Alliance survey offers insight on what is fast becoming a popular companion for travelers. The survey shows that 70 percent of current and prospective Wi-Fi users report they are more likely to take their notebook computers when traveling on vacation thanks to the widespread availability of wireless networking hotspots in airports, hotels, parks, and restaurants.

Approximately 1,000 Americans from all income levels and walks of life were polled by survey.com for the Wi-Fi Alliance from Nov. 28 to Dec. 1.

Wi-Fi use has spread dramatically in recent years, and Wi-Fi is now in more than 100 thousand hotspots and millions of homes worldwide, said Wi-Fi Alliance Managing Director Frank Hanzlik. It is not surprising to see that people like to be connected, both for work and for entertainment purposes, when they travel.

Wi-Fi provides a quick and simple means for travelers to change flight and hotel reservations, book rental cars and conduct last-minute trip planning activities in some cases even from an airplane tray table at 30,000 feet. Travelers also find Wi-Fi helps them locate restaurants, gather information on local events and find popular as well as off-the-beaten-path attractions. In addition, the technology provides a convenient way to send wish you were here e-mails and digital photos only moments after they were taken.