Mobile broadband
 | This article may be confusing or unclear to readers. (February 2009) |
Mobile broadband is the name used to describe various types of wireless high-speed internet access through a portable modem, telephone or other device. Various network standards may be used, such as GPRS, 3G, WiMAX, LTE UMTS/HSPA, EV-DO and some portable satellite-based systems.
Broadband was one of the fastest growing services for mobile operators in 2008. [1]
Devices that provide mobile broadband include: PC data cards, USB modems, USB sticks, phones with data modems and portable devices with built-in support for Mobile Broadband (like notebooks, netbooks and Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs)). Notebooks with built-in Mobile Broadband Modules are offered by all leading laptop manufacturers in Europe and Asia including: Dell, Lenovo (previously IBM), HP, Fujitsu, Toshiba and Acer.
A group of telecommunication manufacturers, mobile phone producers, chipset manufacturers and notebook manufacturers have joined forces to push built-in support for Mobile Broadband technology on notebook computers[2]. The players have established a service mark to identify devices that deliver the highest standard of Mobile Broadband.
Development
On 11 December 2002, the IEEE Standards Board approved the establishment of IEEE 802.20[3], the Mobile Broadband Wireless Access (MBWA) Working Group.
The mission of IEEE 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.
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.
In October 2008, a steering group known as Digital Britain was setup, with the aim of promoting digital telecommunications in the United Kingdom. The conclusion of the steering group was a recommendation that the government took up, namely to have 100% broadband coverage, with a minimum speed of 2mbs in the United Kingdom by the year 2012. Mobile broadband is expected to be utilized to help spread broadband coverage to the more remote areas of the UK.
See also
References
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- ^ http://www.deloitte.co.uk/TMTPredictions/telecommunications/Mobile-broadband-accident-bandwidth-scarcity.cfm.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help); Unknown parameter|Title=ignored (|title=suggested) (help) - ^ GSMA - Mobile Broadband
- ^ IEE 802.20 Mobile Broadband Wireless Access (MBWA)