mobile broadband
mobile broadband
Whilst fixed line broadband has been around for years now, a relatively young technology that is still taking off and proving highly successful is mobile broadband. This technology, as the name suggests, allows you to access the Internet via broadband when you are mobile, so you can enjoy the convenience and flexibility of getting online no matter where you are providing the area has cell phone coverage.
Recently the United States has seen a surge in the take up of mobile broadband, as an increasing number of consumers and businesses realize the benefits that it offers. For general consumers the technology allows them access to the Internet wherever they are so they can get online for fun, for information, or to keep in touch with friends and loved ones. For the business user mobile broadband means that there is no need to be tied to a particular office or base any longer, as you can conduct your business whilst on the road.
The reason why mobile broadband can be used in any area or destination in which you can get a cell phone signal is because this technology uses cell phone networks to connect consumers to the Internet. In addition to being able to get a cell phone signal you will also need to have a mobile modem device, which you will receive when you take out your mobile broadband package.
Modems for your mobile broadband
There is no need to worry – the modems that come with mobile broadband packages are not like the large, cumbersome ones that you may have in the home or office so you won’t be expected to strap some huge device to your back and carry it around with you! In fact, the modems for mobile broadband are extremely small, compact, and easily transportable. Your connection to the Internet is made through your USB connection, so you won’t have to worry about finding somewhere to plug in because no electricity is required. Amongst the options available when it comes to mobile broadband modems are:
The USB dongle
The USB stick
Mobile data cards
The latter of these is designed for use with laptops that are installed with plug and go software.
Who will benefit from mobile broadband technology?
The flexibility, ease, and convenience that is offered by mobile broadband technology can be enjoyed by people from all walks of life, and will benefit all sorts of groups. Businesses in particular will benefit from this technology, as it has eliminated the need for employees, managers, or business owners to be tied to a particular office. With this technology you can conduct your business on the road, and if you are something of a workaholic you could even get a sneaky bit of work done whilst relaxing on the beach on your holidays!
Another group that will really benefit is students. Many students are in and out of college all day, and as a student having access to mobile broadband will enable you to do research and get information between classes or during your lunch period if you need to. Even general consumers who simply want to go online for information and to browse the Internet will be able to enjoy the benefits of being able to do this wherever and whenever they want through mobile broadband technology.
The mission of research 802.20 is to develop the specification for an efficient packet based air interface that is optimized for the transport of IP based services. The goal is to enable worldwide deployment of affordable, ubiquitous, always-on and interoperable multi-vendor mobile broadband wireless access networks that meet the needs of business and residential end user markets.
The main barrier to the take up of mobile broadband will be the coverage the mobile phone networks can provide, in many areas customers will not be able to achieve the speeds advertised due to mobile data coverage limitations. In addition, there are also issues with connectivity, network capacity, application quality, and mobile network operators’ overall inexperience with data traffic[4].
Demand from emerging markets fuels a large share of growth in Mobile Broadband over the coming years. Without the need to start from the basis of a widespread fixed line infrastructure, many emerging markets leapfrog developed markets and use Mobile Broadband technologies to deliver high-speed internet access to the mass market.
The global Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) family of standards – which includes GSM, EDGE, WCDMA, HSPA and LTE – is the most widespread way to deliver mobile broadband. 3GPP standards are serving about 90 percent of the world’s mobile subscribers.
Summary
Broadband is a technology that has really taken off over the past decade, and has revolutionized the way that both homes and businesses access the Internet. Today consumers are able to enjoy accessing the Internet via broadband whether at home, in the office, on the go, even at the beach, which means that getting online, browsing the Internet, and going about your business has never been easier, faster, or more convenient.