Wi-Fi offload has been a central part of mobile connectivity strategy on the part of users and service providers since 3G. That has changed in the 4G era, and might flip in the 5G era, when it might make sense to stay on the mobile network all the time, tariffs permitting.
Already, in 33 countries smartphone users now experience faster average download speeds using a mobile network than using Wi-Fi, according to OpenSignal mobile analytics.
In 50 countries, 63 percent of those studied, 4G networks offer a faster smartphone download experience than Wi-Fi.
Equivalent download experience means there is no “speed reason” for smartphone users to switch network type. But there still might be tariff reasons for doing so (mobile data is expensive, compared to Wi-Fi, either public or private).
In a number of markets with well-developed fixed network access, Wi-Fi offload might still be faster than 4G, though. But it is no longer automatically the case that Wi-Fi offload provides a better experience.
So mobile operators and smartphone makers must re-evaluate their Wi-Fi strategies, especially around mobile offload, automatic network selection and indoor coverage, to ensure they do not accidentally push consumers’ smartphones onto a Wi-Fi network with a worse experience than the mobile network, researchers at OpenSignal say.
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