These days, one can get a huge argument about the future role for mobile broadband based on the next generation of networks, whether WiMAX or Long Term Evolution. 

 

Some say wireless ultimately will be a full substitute for fixed line. Others argue bandwidth limitations generally will make wireless a less-functional alternative than wired alternatives.

 

As you might expect, Vodafone believes the former, not the latter. Fourth-generation wireless using Long Term Evolution technology will be a strong competitor to fixed line broadband, including fiber to the home, with wireless Internet providing a better and richer experience, according to Professor Michael Walker, group R&D director at Vodafone, says Pamela Perez, CommsDay assistant editor.

 

“People think wireless can’t compete with fixed link, but it can,” Walker argues.

According to Walker, the 100 Mbps of FTTH is the same as the theoretical maximum throughput of LTE.

 

“LTE capacity on 20 MHz is an order of magnitude higher than HSPA (a third generation technology),” Walker argues. And supporters believe LTE ultimately will support speeds of 100 Mbps. Right now, the first iteration of the technology is showing speeds of 15 Mbps are possible fairly widely, with speeds up to 20 Mbps at the center of cells, although speed degrades to 1.3 Mbps at cell edges.

 

Wireless substitution for fixed line broadband is just one of the changes Walker sees coming, and might not even be the most meaningful. Walker predicts the near demise of person-to-person phone calls, citing data indicating 11 times more wireless traffic is

being generated by community chatting than by person-to-person calls.

 

That might make sense since chat is something more akin to "many-to-many" than one-to-one" communications.