World Wide Web Cast Further By Mobile Internet

Browsing the www used to be confined ‘within four walls’ by a fixed line access point provided by an Internet service provider(ISP). However, the www made a bid for freedom with new technologies such as WAP being developed in the late 90’s. This enabled people to access the ‘net with their mobile phones but speeds were very slow and data charges expensive. Further developments, like GPRS, 3G, HSDPA have speeded things up but even today this method of browsing is only just getting started using devices such as PDAs and Smartphones.ISPs had complete control on the connectivity market but today face challenges from traditional mobile phone network providers, especially when it comes to being able to provide access to the www on the move. It’s no fun trying to browse the web on a small mobile screen but if you can browse on a laptop screen that’s a whole different story.The dramatic fall in the cost of laptops has opened up a new market and made offering mobile broadband worthwhile. Mobile operators have been able to capitalize on their network capabilities and offer mobile broadband to a new generation of ‘net surfing travellers. You can surf the web on you laptop while travelling courtesy of 3, O2, Orange, T-Mobile and Vodafone; and they’re now even starting to bundle in free laptops with their price plans. A handy guide to price plans can be found here.