How Will Users Rank Speed and Cost When Comparing Wi-Fi and LTE Access?

With the caveat that "averages" typically conceal as much as they reveal, where it comes to Internet metrics, Long Term Evolution mobile networks, on a global basis, now offer "average speeds" faster than Wi-Fi, according to Open Signal.

That might explain recent data suggesting that reliance on LTE access has caused a decline in Wi-Fi access in South Korea, for example, where "average" LTE speeds are close to 19 Mbps. 

Speed was one reason many users started using Wi-Fi instead of 3G. But price is the other key variable. Using Wi-Fi usually occurs with no incremental cost, and without usage against a cap. 

If Wi-Fi experience starts to be perceived as slower than mobile access, users will rethink their behavior, at least to some extent. And that will set up an interesting test: to what extent will users use mobile access, instead of Wi-Fi, even if it "costs more," because LTE offers a better experience?