iPhone popularity could create problems for mobile broadband networks

There are concerns that the rising popularity of the Apple iPhone could cause problems when it comes to the mobile broadband networks according to recent reports.

The Apple iPhone has been enjoying huge success over recent years, and for two years it was only available exclusively through the network provider O2. However, the iPhone is now available through a couple of other rival network providers as well as through the supermarket giant Tesco on a pay as you go basis, and this could lead to the popularity of this smart phone increasing significantly.

Whilst the rising popularity of the iPhone is going to prove great news for Apple as well as for the resellers that will be dealing with this device, there is one major problem that has been highlighted by industry officials, with many concerned that the increased popularity and take up of the Apple iPhone could lead to problems with 3G mobile broadband networks.

One industry official said that the capabilities of these networks were limited, and said that this could cause problems, stating: “Operators paid a huge amount of money several years ago for the 3G networks but in recent years they have been under-utilised.”

He added: “It’s taken until now for 3G to take off, and it’s still a small proportion of users who have mobile broadband. Now the situation is rapidly turning. Two things are driving the problem – smart phones present one, but the bigger problem at the moment is mobile broadband services – used by dongles. I think the operators are starting to worry.”

An official from 3 said: “The network is going to be the critical thing for operators in the next couple of years. I think what you’ll see is different networks doing different things to meet the specific needs of their customers. We made provisions two years ago to bring our network together with T-mobile to increase coverage and capacity without having to put new masts up. The vast majority of our networks have plenty of capacity, but there will be areas where we take a lot of customers and occasionally that will get ahead of capacity.”

Source – Sky