Attractive price points and new technology will increase the acceptability of WiFi or public wireless local area network around the world and make it a commercial proposition, according to European research agency Ovum.

"WiFi is growing. 2003 has been a watershed year as public wireless local area network has moved towards becoming a commercial proposition for business and consumer users," it said.

Blue chip vendors like Cisco and Intel are beginning to impose order on this fragmented, chaotic market with high-profile initiatives, it said while adding Intel's Centrino Mobile technology campaign has propelled WLAN into the public consciousness.