Who first used the term "hotspot" to describe a Wi-Fi enabled
location, such as a cafe, airport lounge or hotel lobby and in what
context (an analyst's report; a CEO's speech, etc) was the comment
made?

The term "Hotspot" was first technically used in conjunction with DECT
telephones.  The thought at that time for low-cost services was to use
them in designated spots - hotspots.  DECT was one of the PCS
protocols which can run in the unlicenced portion of the PCS band and
also in the 2.4 GHz band.
http://wireless.fcc.gov/auctions/data/bandplans/pcsband.pdf

The DECT standard was finalized in 1992.
http://www.dectweb.com/Introduction/answers.htm

Early engineers of Plancom, MobileStar and Wayport's predecessor may
have transferred the term "Hotspot" from its use in the literature and
applied this to using wireless data in a particular spot.
 
MobileStar was founded in 1993 by the Chairman of Plancom, Mark Goode.
 Mark Goode used the term "Hotspot" in his business plan.  MobileStar
then finally entered the market in 1997 selling access to their
Wireless LAN "Hotspot" network when viable 802.11 hardware was
available.
http://www.alvarion.com/RunTime/CorpInf_30130.asp?fuf=151&type=item
http://wifinetnews.com/archives/001315.html

During a similar time frame, Wayport was founded and entered the
public WLAN market.  Wayport has always referred to their points of
service as "Wayport locations".

MobileStar which was later bought by VoiceStream which later became
T-Mobile in 2001.

T-Mobile to date continues to market the public wireless Internet
product under the brand T-Mobile Hotspot.
http://www.t-mobile.com/hotspot/

Thanks for this. It looks promising. It seems as though you have
considerable industry knowledge, so I am relatively comfortable with
this version. However, I am planning to use the reference in a book
about the industry and, at present, this is the only source I have for
this factoid. May I ask how you know that "hotspot" was first used in
connection with the marketing of DECT phones and how you know that
Mark Goode included it in MobileStar's business plan? Did you see it
first hand? Also, was it in Goode's original business plan or a
subsequent version used to raise second and third round capital? I
would appreciate any additional information you can share that would
add depth or clarity to this. Thanks again for the initial submission.
It's the first lead I have received.

1 entry found for hotspot at dictionary.com

hot spot also hot·spot (htspt)
n. 
1. An area in which there is dangerous unrest or hostile
   action: ?opportunities... for United Nations forces to
   play a constructive role in some of the world's hot spots? 
   (Paul Lewis). 
2. Informal. A lively and popular place, such as a nightclub. 
3. An area of intense heat, radiation, or activity. 

HotSpot(TM) is a trademark of T-Mobile USA
 
>May I ask how you know that "hotspot" was first used in
connection with the marketing of DECT phones 

In short, I've been doing this for a long time.

I read either an RCR or Wireless Week article in the mid 90's while I
was working on a competing digital cellular project.  The article was
about a new wireless phone company that was going to enter the market
in th UK to provide very low-cost cellular-like phone service.  The
concept was that they would deploy their DECT service in "hot spots"
at train stations, airports... The article had a picture of a man
standing in front of a train station and in front of an english phone
booth with a tiny cell phone to his ear under a sign indicating there
was a "hot spot" there.  The company might have been Orange because
the sign had a round orange spot on it.  This article stuck in my mind
because I thought that hot spots for voice handsets would never sell.
I did not think that it would be acceptable for people to look for a
hot spot in order to talk on their mobile phone.

Here are some links of interest:
http://www.dectweb.com/News&Views/PressReleases/PR2000/001106HomeRF.htm
http://www.broadcastpapers.com/broadband/EricssonWLAN03.htm

But hot spots for data is a different story since ubiquitous coverage
and mobility is not necessarely required.

>Mark Goode included it in MobileStar's business plan? Did you see it
first hand? Also, was it in Goode's original business plan or a
subsequent version used to raise second and third round capital?

I heard this by way of second-hand rumor.  Also, perhaps you can find
Mark Goode and get a better insight on what transpired.

Also, here are some links of interest:

http://www.shorecliffcommunications.com/magazine/volume.asp?Vol=9&story=50
http://www.shorecliffcommunications.com/magazine/volume.asp?Vol=10&story=74

I also know that know MobileStar called their locations PALs (public
access locations).  Here are some references:

http://www.wbrtv.com/underwriters/mobilestar/
http://isp-planet.com/fixed_wireless/business/2001/mobilestar.html
http://www.winbook.com/press/2001/010904a.html
http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/columns/print.php/864881
http://www.mobic.com/oldnews/2001/06/mobilestar_offers_high.htm