Mobile broadband still has a long way to go before users ‘reach billions’, says Broadband Expert

Reacting to the opinion that the number of people using mobile broadband could reach billions in the space of just five years, Rob Webber, Commercial Director of leading mobile broadband comparison site, Broadband Expert says the industry still has a long way to go before this vision can become a reality.

He says: “Operators need to work hard at improving mobile broadband speeds and invest in upgrading networks, as it’s not a realistic alternative to fixed broadband services at the moment.

“Currently most people use mobile broadband to complement their fixed broadband connection, mainly because speeds tend to be slow and unreliable. If mobile broadband is going to be a real contender in the marketplace, then it has some stiff competition from alternative, emerging technologies such as Wimax, Mifi portable devices and home networking products. If the main mobile broadband suppliers are serious about taking market share, then there needs to be some serious investment before this forecast is realised.”

Webber references the news that an industry expert at the Broadband World Forum predicts there could be around three billion users of mobile broadband services by 2014.