IT industry news: 4G 'alternative' to fixed-line broadband

16:11 24th March 2011

Fourth generation (4G) broadband services could change the way consumers access the web and may become an alternative to fixed-line products.

That is according to Chris Marling, the editor of BroadbandGenie.co.uk, who said that the new technology would boost mobile broadband.

It will lead to a "big hike" in upload and download speeds, he added, but people would need proper devices that could take advantage of this.

"In the short term, rather than a spike in smartphone and tablet sales, what 4G could mean is a genuine alternative to fixed-line broadband. It has threatened to be this for years, but slow speeds and unreliability have held it back," Mr Marling explained.

"Even a conservative estimate would look at mobile broadband speeds of more than 8Mb, which will worry BT and the like."

Ofcom announced earlier this week that it would start auctioning mobile spectrum for 4G contracts in the first quarter of 2012.

Posted by Paul Davis

MCSA courses& Web Design Courses - helping you to find a new career. Choose from IT courses in Microsoft Networking, Programming, Desktop Support, Database Administration and Web Design.

ADNFCR-1667-ID-800475272-ADNFCR