According to Gartner Research there are still not enough public wireless LAN (WLAN) hotspots around the world to encourage user uptake.However there is plenty of growth.Gartner estimates there are around 71,000 wirless hotspots around the world, up from 1200 in 2001. User numbers will reach 9.5 million by the end 2003, up from 2.5 million in 2002.North America is expected to have the largest share of users with 4.7 million, followed by the Asia-Pacific with 2.7 million and Europe with 1.7 million.Gartner said while hotspots may not be profitable in themselves, they could help attract customers to a business. Airport lounges with wireless internet access were one example of using WLAN to attract customers.”Viewed singularly, these hotspots do not generate profit, but as part of the overall business model they do,” Gartner vice president Ken Dulaney said.

Hotspots not hot enough: Gartner