Wi-Fi player Bitbuzz reports 13pc increase in Q3 subscribers

4 Nov 2009

Nationwide Wi-Fi service provider Bitbuzz has reported a total of 196,226 registered users at the end of the third quarter, up 13pc on Q2.

This represents an increase of 66,244 users year on year, an increase of 50pc.

During the period, Bitbuzz embarked on an exciting new marketing campaign and announced an innovative deal with the D4 Hotel Group.

The total number of Bitbuzz Wi-Fi hotspots across the country at the end of September ’09 was 202, up from 194 at the end of Q2.

“We’ve had a great year so far, and are happy to see the trend of growth has continued into this quarter,” Shane Deasy, managing director, Bitbuzz, explained.

“We are extremely pleased with the figures, and we are hoping to finish out the year by continuing to grow our number of registered users and hotspots in the final quarter,” Deasy said.

During the quarter, Bitbuzz registered an average of 12 logins per site per business day, up from 10 at the end of Q2, with the busiest time of day being 6pm-7pm.

The Wi-Fi index for the first half of the year increased considerably, reflecting strong growth in usage in Bitbuzz’s daytime venues and three-star hotels.

The Wi-Fi index at the end of Q3 was up to 169 from 128 at the end of Q2.

The figure also represents a 69pc increase year on year, up from 100 at the end of Q3 2008.

The Wi-Fi Index tracks use of the Bitbuzz Wi-Fi network, and therefore the economic activity around travel, hospitality and business use of the internet.

By John Kennedy

Photo: Shane Deasy, managing director of Bitbuzz.

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com