Analysis of critical success factors for Wi-Fi hotspot deployment in travel & tourism sector, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Wi-Fi HotSpot or PWLAN has been so popular in the globe particularly among the travelers and the business community over the last couple of years. In fact Wi-Fi is becoming a necessity due to the convenience and the mobility it provides. In Sri Lankan context it has already become a feature of hotels and the airport. Almost all the five star hotels and most of the large hotels already provide Wi-Fi facility to their guests. This study is focused on CSFs for Wi-Fi HotSpot deployments in T &T sector Sri Lanka. This identifies the CSFs in the global market to compare and match with the Sri Lankan market. In addition, this research identifies the business models in the globe and investigates the viability of those models for Sri Lankan T&T sector. Furthermore, CSFs of the T&T sector and the service provider sector were investigated on perspectives of technological, strategic, legal/environmental and economical .Similarly the questionnaire responses from the sample Wi-Fi users were investigated on different perspectives of technological, social/environmental, and economical levels. The conceptual model was developed based on the findings of the literature survey, to identify the CSFs of Wi-Fi HotSpot deployments in T&T sector Sri Lanka. Finally the identified CSFs were analyzed and compiled for Wi-Fi HotSpot deployments in T&T sector Sri Lanka. With the limited time frame when compared with the scope of this research, case studies were limited to the largest Wi-Fi operator in the country. The valid data samples of the user questionnaires were limited to fifty four existing and potential Wi-Fi users. The questionnaire responses were analyzed along with the case study results and reconunendations are proposed for Wi-Fi HotSpot. deployments for T&T sector. It was identified that the security and the speed are the most concerned factors having strong correlation with the usage of Wi-Fi. Four main business models were identified in Wi-Fi deployments in Sri Lanka and two models were recommended one for public and one for private Wi-Fi HotSpots