Thanks to Wi-Fi, we live in a world of constant connectivity. We’ve come to depend on 24/7 access to news, entertainment, and each other to the point where going without Wi-Fi makes many uncomfortable. However, it’s not always clear exactly how our reliance on Wi-Fi has impacted our lives.
Hughesnet, a satellite internet service, surveyed 1,000 Americans about their Wi-Fi usage and habits to find out. The survey results demonstrate just how essential Wi-Fi has become in daily life.
Key Takeaways
- 67% of respondents feel frustrated or anxious when in a Wi-Fi dead zone.
- Of the respondents who feel frustrated or anxious when in a Wi-Fi dead zone, over 50% rank their level of anxiety or frustration at an 8-10 on a scale of 1-10.
- 90% of survey respondents consider themselves moderately to super addicted to Wi-Fi.
- 41% of respondents say they immediately find the Wi-Fi password after checking in to a hotel or Airbnb.
- 57% of respondents report spending “a lot” to “almost all” of their leisure time using Wi-Fi.
How Addicted Are You to Wi-Fi?
Of the survey respondents, 30.7% of Americans reported internet dead zones in their homes. Not having access to reliable Wi-Fi can cause several emotions to arise, 46.9% of respondents report feeling frustrated without Wi-Fi access (in stark contrast to the mere 5.4% who reported feeling relieved to be without access). Somewhat alarmingly, over 50% of respondents ranked their level of anxiety or frustration at an 8,9, or 10 on a scale of 1-10, implying the presence or lack of Wi-Fi has a genuine impact on emotional levels.
When asked how addicted survey respondents were to Wi-Fi, the vast majority of respondents ranked themselves as being moderately to “super-addicted.” Over a third of respondents, 35.7%, fell into the super-addicted category.
It’s important to remember that addiction, in this context, does not have any clinical meaning and is instead an indication of how important Wi-Fi is to individuals.
Wi-Fi Usage and Habits
Social media, gaming, and streaming TV accounted for most of the time spent on Wi-Fi. These three activities were ranked highly by almost 60% of respondents.
People now expect entertainment on demand, whether they’re sharing stories on social media or watching the latest streaming television show. As a result, more and more of us are choosing online entertainment options, with 57% of respondents saying they spend “a lot” to “almost all” of their leisure time using Wi-Fi. For 6% of people, Wi-Fi activities account for the entirety of their leisure time.
Outside of social media and entertainment, 59.2% of respondents used public Wi-Fi to shop or bank, which can be risky given how vulnerable public networks are to malware and hacking attacks.
Travel and Wi-Fi
When traveling your choice of where to stay can be crucial to your trip. Most survey respondents rank Wi-Fi access as an essential consideration when choosing travel accommodations. 65.1% report they prioritize staying in places with reliable Wi-Fi when they plan trips and outings. 41.4% of those surveyed look for a hotel or Airbnb Wi-Fi password immediately after checking in, with 47.7% settling in before they look for the password.
How you get to your accommodations and location is also important as some trips can take hours to get to and can set the tone for the first day. What you consider important for your comfort should be factored in. For many respondents Wi-Fi access is also a consideration when traveling, with 78.7% agreeing they sometimes, often, or always check for Wi-Fi networks in new locations. People increasingly expect Wi-Fi wherever they are, including when traveling by plane: 45.4% are willing to pay for Wi-Fi on a flight if a free network is unavailable.
Conclusion
Most people consider Wi-Fi an essential part of their lives. Hughesnet internet services helps people bridge the digital divide by providing reliable satellite internet across the United States, bringing Wi-Fi to areas not served by cable or fiber internet service providers.
When looking for reliable Wi-Fi, Hughesnet satellite internet service offers Whole Home Wi-Fi. Add optional Mesh Wi-Fi Nodes for wall-to-wall Wi-Fi coverage. Find satellite internet plans here.
