OREANDA-NEWS. In Latvia, every other user of the Internet (56%) checks the availability of a free WiFi connection in public places. According to a snapshot survey conducted by Lattelecom, young people aged 15-24 (80%) are interested in free WiFi the most.

The second most active group of users of the wireless Internet has been identified among the visitors of shops, caf?s, parks, etc., representing people aged between 34 and 44 (61% and 50% respectively). As it turns out, free access Internet is also important for seniors aged over 55 – at least one-third (36%) of them look for it in public places.

"The results of this survey support that it is not only the availability of the Internet that matters to the population, but rather the fact that it could be used free of charge. In this regard, owing to the Lattelecom-free WiFi network, we are one step ahead of many European countries, which is supported not only by Riga having earned the title of the capital of WiFi, but also the fact that at present free WiFi hotspots are available in more than 4,500 places all over Latvia," says Juris Gulbis, Chairman of the Management Board of Lattelecom.

According to the survey, smartphones have been recognised as the most popular device for using WiFi. In the age group to 54 years nearly everyone (90% to 100%), regardless of their place of residence, nationality or gender, uses them. Seniors are certainly not lagging behind in terms of technology – 70% of them prefer using WiFi through their smartphones.

Interestingly, more Russians (49%) than Latvians (31%) prefer using WiFi through their tablets. A fairly large proportion of elderly people (55%), aged between 55 and 74, connect to the Internet through their tablets, comparatively fewer younger respondents (38%) do so.

Since 2013, Lattelecom has installed more than 4,500 Lattelecom-free WiFi hotspots all over Latvia, nearly 1,500 hotspots of them in Riga, which enabled it to become the European capital of WiFi. Until now, Lattelecom-free WiFi is available in 21 hospitals, 165 educational establishments as well as in the squares, parks and other open-air places of the largest towns of Latvia.

How to connect to free WiFi throughout Latvia?

The list of WiFi hotspots is available at www.WiFi.lv and www.1188.lv. The Internet speed at the hotspots enables the downloading of images, movies and other files without limitations. To use public access to the Lattelecom free WiFi Internet, in their smartphones user have to select Lattelecom-free network and open the web browser programme. In a moment, the WiFI website opens providing the possibility to use the Internet without limitations for half an hour, after watching a short 15-second informative notice. To renew the Internet access after the expiry of the 30 minutes, the above-mentioned steps need to be repeated. In the case of queries or uncertainties, please call the Lattelecom Customer Service – 177.