Well, okay, Ray, Frank - I don't know, but I thought it was understood that the migration from CDPD, Mobitex, etc., was going to have a cost.
It seems to me that whether you're talking CDMA or TDMA, EDGE or GSM, you're always talking about an evolution which will end at around 2Mbps/384 Kbps, under ideal conditions.
I saw an article recently that predicted EDGE at 5 Mbps, but I don't take it seriously.
So, in terms of mobile data streams, whether you're talking CDMA or TDMA, right now 384 Kbps seems to be the definition of mobile "broadband". (Steady, Frank!)
(BTW Frank, I'll repeat the question of Marden Marshall... where are the 'broadband' lines of demarcation?)
Ray's post about the Japanese girl sending her doodles to 150 email friends is a good one; a good part of internet activity is gaming. Demand can be frivolous; as long as it's paid for, it's still demand.
On the serious (enterprise) side, I'm aware of much software that really won't come into its own until mobile 'broadband' is available.
Interesting fact: the Motient network (ARDIS) is being used, quite successfully, by Purolator, at present.
Imagine yourself as the decision-maker in a delivery company in the next downturn. You can use simple, forms-driven SMS-like ARDIS service, or you can opt for a pricey upgrade to wireless mobile broadband with all the bells and whistles.
In a recession, the choice is obvious. There's more than one way to skin the mobile cat.
Regards,
Jim |
