Convergence Conversation

$1bn investment into Mobile Broadband announced

A conglomeration of 17 IT and Telecommunication giants are combining to spend $1bn promoting mobile broadband across the world. Hope rests on the investments abilities to differentiate mobile broadband from WiMAX, as a ubiquitous service with fewer limitations of coverage when compared to its more static cousin.

The popularity of Mobile Broadband has far outpaced initial estimates, and internet dongles have quickly become a mainstay of the technology scenery up and down the country. The new investment will move mobile internet access away from external dongles and towards integrated SIM applications allowing in-built internet access in lap-tops. Bit rates will be similar to fixed broadband services and Wi-Fi rates, with ‘mobile broadband’ ready lap tops ready upon purchase.

Lap-tops that pass the partners standards will receive a "Mobile Broadband" logo, with estimates suggesting the service will be available in over 91 countries, spreading above the 1bn consumer mark. Some experts have even suggested that a majority of people in the world will have their first experience of the internet via mobile broadband.

Its likely that the earth based WiMAX/Wi-Fi technology will continue to find a place in a greater more integrated internet. However its future will stay as a ‘hot spot’ provider, opposed to a continuous stream of accessibility on a state wide or even city wide status.  

The $1bn investment looks set to move Mobile Broadband into an even higher gear, filling in the  gaps left by WiMAX technology.