Archive for October, 2008
The future of internet connectivity
Posted by Mike in Broadband Reviews on October 30, 2008
Wireless broadband is fabulous. One cable comes into your home or office and a router sends your private encrypted subscription signal throughout your home. And, if you are a generous sort, you can even share your signal with a few worthy neighbours. The speed is super quick and you can run as many computers as you like off of the wireless signal. Even the cost is fair, with the best contracts costing around 20 Pounds monthly.
But, your computing can not stray beyond the confines of the signal you broadcast. Usually this limits you to your immediate dwelling and perhaps a trek to the far reaches of your garden. For most casual use this is fine, but for anyone whose business takes place on the net they need service anywhere anytime. Mobile broadband offers that service.
With speeds running 3.6Mbps mobile broadband is fast enough for most applications but it still leaves one waiting for screen changes. All those seconds waiting can add up to be an hour by day’s end. Who has a spare hour? So, for the time being, we will stay tethered to our home, office or the local free WiFi hotspot.
Some will use mobile broadband and work around it’s limitations. But those won’t be there for long. The competition is too fierce and totally wireless communication can yield greater profits for providers. The future of all internet connecting is totally wireless and totally mobile.
What Is Wireless Broadband?
Posted by Tanya in Latest Broadband News on October 16, 2008
Given the variety of services available to the consumer to connect to the internet, it is unsurprising that sometimes the terms can be confusing. Wireless broadband is a prime culprit.
Many of us will have broadband at home, which is provided via the fixed line telecommunications network. Many of us also have mobile broadband which is typically a USB modem that allows the user to connect their laptop to the internet without using fixed lines. However, if you’re looking for a new deal or to upgrade, there are many offers for ‘wireless broadband’.
Simply put, this is a fixed line broadband connection with a wireless router which allows you to connect one, or several computers over short distances (up to 100 meters) without using wires. This is often sold as a ‘deal’ as the service provider will include the wireless router in the package. This means you can now surf the net from the kitchen or the bathroom with no wires to trip over. You can connect your PC, laptop PDA and your mobile, but most importantly for some- no more arguments about whose turn it is to surf.
The only real disadvantage is the shared connection, you can connect many different devices at the same time but everyone uses the available bandwidth so this can slow things down if you split the connection too many times. Also be mindful of security, if you don’t password protect your connection anyone in range can use your connection and access your network, that could mean a hacked hard-drive or a free connection for your next door neighbour.
Next week we will publish a mini guide to making your WiFi network secure, and how to tell if someone is stealing your connection.
Virgin Media Launch Mobile Broadband.
Posted by Clair in Broadband Reviews on October 16, 2008
The second largest fixed line operator has now launched a mobile option. For £15 per month Virgin is offering an 18 month contract with a 3Gb download limit. The USB modem will be supplied free with the contract and can offer speeds of up to 3.8Mbps. Though, as all mobile customers should be aware, the actual download speed is limited by the 3G signal strength which can vary massively dependent on your location. The 3Gb allowance should be enough for 2000 texts, 200 music downloads, 100 hours of surfing and 100 two minute videos. £15 will be charged for each extra Gb of data downloaded.
As newcomers to the mobile internet market, Virgin will be up against stiff competition especially regarding price. Though a recent report states “Virgin will not be using price to compete for mobile broadband customers, rather the company hopes its reputation for providing good fixed line broadband services will help create interest in the service.”
Also looming in the next month, Google, Sony-Ericsson, Blackberry and Nokia will be launching platforms to go head-to-head with the iphone. Until now, this platform has been largely the domain of the business user. Apple has wisely broadened its scope to include the entertainment market, an approach which Google’s G1 is more than likely to follow.
The big news about the G1 is Android, an open source operating system designed to allow third parties to write new software applications for the hardware. Given Google’s dominance of the web environment, the shift to real-world mobile internet is likely to mean tough competition in the months ahead.