Nobody could have predicted the Internet and how much the world would embrace it, not only for entertainment, but also for commerce and even social interaction. Not even Nostradamus, who has descriptions of numerous future technologies like helicopters and tanks, mentions the Internet anywhere in his quatrains. There are probably more people with email addresses than there are people with telephones.
Our experience online is always dependent on the speed of our access. Most of us probably had our first experience online through dial-up access, using a telephone line and a modem. The fastest these modems can go is 56Kbps (Kilobits per second) and is mostly adequate for E-mails and regular browsing. The popularity of the Web however has spurred new forms, applications, and features that make dial-up access almost unbearable.
Because of these new applications and features, high-speed access is now in big demand and broadband has proven to be the popular choice. Broadband is the common term used for the technology that provides speeds that is at least 10x that of dial-up. In fact, broadband today refers to speeds in the Mbps (Mega bit per second). And the most common broadband options today are mostly over the wire, like DSL and Cable, using the existing telephone line and cable that already goes into every home.
If you are unlucky enough to be situated in an area where wired broadband services are not available, not to worry because wireless broadband has come of age. These wireless broadband services are available as fixed wireless solutions or as a mobile solution.
Fixed wireless broadband refers to systems that are situated in fixed locations such as at the office or at home. Without having to layout cables or wires, fixed wireless broadband is easily deployable in remote areas as a "last mile" solution. With wireless technology now widely available to consumers, it is not as prohibitive to implement as before when large cumbersome antenna or microwave dishes were used.
Most common fixed wireless solutions for companies and home users are the Private Unlicensed Link (Spread Spectrum) and Satellite Systems:
• Spread spectrum is a popular choice because the standards have matured a lot to an extent that a lot of vendors now offer devices supporting this technology at an affordable price. Commonly known as WiFi, this wireless broadband offers a speed of 10Mbps up to 54Mbps.
• Satellites themselves may not be fixed, since they are orbiting above the earth, but the receiving stations are. With speeds ranging from 56Kbps to 155Mbps, this is one solution not commonly used by home users, but more for the corporate sector. One drawback is that a Satellite link carries with it the inherent delay that the signal has to travel from earth to the orbiting satellite, usually about a quarter of a second.
About The Author Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Broadband |
For a single user, there are also wireless access solutions available through mobile phone providers. Mobile broadband services become available as 3G technology is adopted in countries around the world. With 3G (Third Generation) high speed services, mobile broadband can reach a maximum of 1.4Mbps. Limitations of course are in the coverage of the signal.
The Internet has continually changed over the years from its humble beginnings of being a simple communication tool to being today's ubiquitous cyberspace we all know and love. And with wireless broadband, the Internet can now be accessed anytime and anywhere.
Wireless Broadband - The Next Frontier By Caroline Telford
Broadband continually is being changed and altered in order to improve it on many fronts. Improved speed, improved convenience, and improved price rates are the three areas that see constant activity as various technological leaps and brilliant marketing plans alter the way in which we view our broadband.
What is wireless broadband?
As we move into a 'wireless age', it seems fitting that wireless broadband is on the horizon even now. One type of this wireless broadband is mobile broadband, which utilises mobile phone towers as access points. However this particular type of broadband is plagued by various disadvantages that pose serious problems for many users.
Under the umbrella of wireless broadband can fall many technologies that have been attempted, and mostly, discarded. First of these was the Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs) that serviced rural areas that did not have coverage through ADSL. Customers that used said WISPs would have to mount a dish on the roof of their houses in order to receive a signal that was usually transmitted from somewhere high up within the area. Using the dish meant that there had to be a constant line of sight between the dish and the signal transmitter.
Since then, wireless broadband has moved forward by leaps and bounds, although it is still not quite as complete as would be desired. One of the latest, and most widely used, developments is that of WiMAX, or Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. Thus far this technology seems to be the most promising form of wireless broadband yet, and is used extensively throughout Europe and some of Asia.
When can it be expected to replace ADSL?
Truth be told, whether or not WiMAX or other wireless broadband alternatives ever replace ADSL as the ideal connection for homes and offices remains to be seen. For all the advantages that a wireless connection would offer in terms of convenience, a certain amount of stability, reliability and security of these connections would have to be established too.
On top of that, by using ADSL connections in conjunction with wireless routers, practically the same effect is achieved on a local (i.e. within a home or office) basis. So even if some sort of dependable wireless broadband system were to be put in place, it would have to offer something more than ADSL currently does in terms of speed -- and pricing too -- in order to be able to compete against it.
Currently there are various efforts under development involving wireless broadband as the next frontier of broadband internet. It seems only a matter of time before at least one of these efforts is realised and who knows what would come after. Recently MIT unveiled what they claimed was a wireless power source, and used it to power a light bulb.
Perhaps in a decade or so wires themselves will be obsolete, and then we will truly be in the wireless age with wireless electricity supply, wireless mobile phones, and of course, wireless broadband internet. Imagine the complete lack of clutter that that world would have.
Mobile Broadband - Advantages and Disadvantages
By Caroline Telford
Wireless is the new kid on the block that seems set for greatness. How could it not be, after all, when it offers various degrees of freedom that previously simply did not exist? By avoiding the clutter of wires, and allowing portable notebooks to truly be as portable as they should, wireless technology has found a place in the hearts of even the most jaded computer users.
Mobile broadband is an extension of this newfound freedom. By offering high-speed, broadband, internet access of a wireless nature through portable modems, telephones or other custom devices, it allows, again, for more freedom. Unfortunately this freedom comes with disadvantages too.
Two major advantages of mobile broadband
Firstly, mobile broadband offers unprecedented levels of convenience as far as broadband internet is concerned. All that is needed is the modem, and internet access is readily available, in theory anyway. If coverage is good enough, it would be completely possible to use mobile broadband overseas from any computer terminal you happen to pass by.
Secondly, the complete lack of need for a landline makes for further flexibility. Whether at home, work, or the park, a land line is completely unnecessary. This translates into even fewer cables dangling around, and even greater portability.
Two major disadvantages of mobile broadband
Firstly, rather unfortunately, the range of reception for most mobile broadband networks seems to be decidedly limited for now. Sometimes the bad reception exists in 'pockets' here and there from which connecting to the broadband internet is not possible, but at other times it can be entire areas that are simply not covered. Also worrisome is the fact that when there is a high concentration of users in a particular area utilizing the mobile broadband, it can cause a general slowdown in service.
Secondly, the bandwidth available to mobile broadband customers is generally much smaller than their more conventional cousins. Although this particular limitation would go unnoticed to most casual users, heavier internet users would find it stifling to their activities. Some current mobile broadband providers charge on a per-MB usage basis and this too can end up being costly unless the broadband is used sparingly.
As a verdict, mobile broadband has a vast potential that can be tapped into and taken advantage of, however it remains very much limited as of yet. That said, it should be noted that the same was said of wireless networks at one point in time, not so very long ago, and as such never underestimate what tomorrow may bring.
For the casual user who values mobility and convenience over speed and consistency, mobile broadband is still a pretty attractive option. However for heavy internet users, and others who simply cannot, or do not, wish to handle the reception problems or bandwidth limitations, it may be unwise to sign up to this particular option just yet. Once the kinks are worked out of the execution, mobile broadband really will come into its own as the preferred form of internet access.