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A mobile broadband modem in the ExpressCard form factor

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^[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 Mobile Broadband.

[edit] 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. 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.

[edit] United Kingdom

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 2Mbps 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.

[edit] United States

In the United States, in 2009 actions were taken by the telecommunication industry that led many to believe that price fixing was taking place. Every provider (AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile) all offered the same mobile broadband plan at the same price. 5GB max at $60 a month. Under the Sherman Act,[1] July 2, 1890 this would be illegal, and allows for any individual the right to sue under the antitrust laws. As evident in the network outage on April 9, 2009 in Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties in California all these companies are interlinked and share the same network, which would also constitute monopoly practices.

[edit] See also

• Mobile VoIP
• Broadband Internet access
• Broadband
• Mobile Enterprise

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• IEEE 802.20 Mission and Project Scope
• The Mobile Broadband Group
• Accelerating global development with mobile broadband
• Mobile Broadband news and articles
• Australian Mobile Broadband plan comparison
• HSPA – the undisputed choice for mobile broadband
• Mobile Broadband in the UK
• Mobile Broadband Dongle - FAQ