Russia to have 13 thousand hotspots by 2010

According to the latest report by J'son&Partners entitled "Russian Wi-Fi market 2006-2008", by year's end the number of public hotspots in Russia will exceed 7,000 in what will be an 11-fold market increase. Analysts predict that by the end of 2010 the number of hotspots will reach 13,000. Most of the existing hotspots work as part of the Golden Telecom Wi-Fi project. The market is also growing in other areas of application of the technology. By year's end the number of corporate wireless networks will exceed 500. Analysts point out substantial growth in the Wi-Fi market in the regions, particularly in Privolzhye, Siberia, and Urals federal districts (over 50 new hotspots in 2006). Half of all hotpots work in Moscow. J&P analysts predict that the next step in the spread of the Wi-Fi technology will be the provision of additional paid services on public transport.