Wi-Fi spreading fast among mobile phones

Amid the industry hype about 4G (fourth-generation) mobile technologies this week at the CTIA Wireless trade show, the Wi-Fi Alliance will play up the growing importance of wireless LANs on mobile phones.

The number of phones shipped with Wi-Fi jumped to 139.3 million in 2009, up from 92.5 million in 2008, the group said. ABI's research indicates that annual shipping number will surpass 500 million units by 2014, when 90 percent of all smartphones will have the technology. And even as smartphones make up more of the handset market, Wi-Fi is expected to grow more common in less-expensive phones, said Kelly Davis-Felner, Wi-Fi Alliance marketing director. Wi-Fi gives cell phone users a tool for browsing the Web and downloading data faster than on a cellular connection, as well as a safety valve for carriers with overburdened networks.