Revenue from wireless hotspots to reach $969 bln in 2005, $3.46 bln in 2009

Worldwide wireless data hotspot revenue will rise from $969 mln in 2005 to $3.46 bln in 2009, reports In-Stat. This rapid growth will occur as the number of hotspot locations nearly doubles in size from 100,000 in 2005 to almost 200,000 by the end of 2009. The largest sector of the hotspot market will continue to be the cafe market (including coffee shops, fast food, and full service restaurants), which will grow from just over 40,000 venues worldwide in 2004 to just under 100,000 venues by 2009. Much of the growth in the cafe/restaurant market will be characterized by branded deployments such as the Starbucks', McDonalds', and Panera Bread hotspot networks.