[AusNOG] Alternative to NBN?

[Bevan Slattery]

From: ausnog-bounces at lists.ausnog.net [mailto:ausnog-bounces at lists.ausnog.net] On Behalf Of Mark Stewart
"The sad part about people harping on about Wireless Internet technology is that they don't understand it terribly well."

One could say "The sad part about people harping on about how great fixed line broadband is they don't understand you can't take it with you."

I think people [generally] understand wireless pretty well as a technology.  I think people understand fixed line pretty well too.  I think what people don't sometimes appreciate is the transferal of dominance or importance of transmission mediums.

If you asked a person 10 years ago what would you rather be without their landline or mobile, most would probably have said mobile.  If you asked people 2-3 years ago what would you do without, your fixed line broadband or your iPhone/iPad/dongle thingy most probably would have said iPad/iPhone/dongle thingy.  However, if you ask people in two years time (even now) many would say they would keep iPhone/Android/wireless internet over 3G/4G and not wifi/fixed line.

This is a really important shift and exercise and here's why - Due to financial reasons many people will be faced with that choice.  This has been highlighted through creation of the US Broadband Plan by the FCC.

"African-Americans and Latinos - 18% of blacks and 16% of English-speaking Hispanics are cell-only wireless users, compared with 10% of whites. In total, roughly half of African-Americans (54%) and Hispanics (53%) go online from a mobile phone."
http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2010/Mobile-Access-2010/Part-1/The-current-state-of-wireless-internet-use.aspx

"Do I get fixed line BB at home, or do I just get a data pack with my mobile?  I can't afford both."  To many people wireless internet will be their *only* internet experience.  The internet is now really becoming all pervasive and the mobile device/phone is now taking over as the primary device for accessing information.

I think people are understanding wireless well and some of the inherent limitations of the technology without blanketing cell stations everywhere (particularly Voda/3 users).  However carriers, users, businesses, stores and other third parties will start to deploy cheaper alternatives (such as Wifi and Femtocells/microcells in workplaces/offices/locations) to assist with the handoff at high traffic locations (think apartment buildings, airports, shopping centres etc.).  But I agree that there will be a continual strain on spectrum and capital resources.  This will [mostly] be managed through economic means.

But ultimately, I think people generally understand that as a society you need both.  And because someone maybe an advocate for wireless, doesn't mean they don't think there is a need or business case for fixed line and vice-versa.  I think they may believe that the adoption of wireless may just alter the business case numbers on any fixed line upgrade.  This can be seen directly as players like AT&T and Verizon reducing their FttH deployment plans and increasing their 4G/LTE investments.

I think the customers insatiable demand for mobile internet will force Governments, carriers and even businesses to change, create, innovate and invest to deliver a better wireless internet experience.  It lets you check your news, weather, sport, stocks, youtube, email, facebook, twitter, iTunes, linkedin, blah, blah, blah on the go with an iPhone, Android device and even Nokia (assuming they'll still be around in 5 years).  And whilst they might not understand many of the technical limitations, they don't care - they just need to "fix it".  To use a Whirlpool'ism - "I just want candy" :)

I suppose I am really agreeing with you here, but also saying that don't underestimate the developments in the wireless space.  Developments that are being funded by, and to solve problems in, the largest growth area in telecommunications worldwide.

Cheers

[b]


The information contained in this email and any attachments may be confidential. This email and any attachments are also subject to copyright. No part of them may be reproduced, adapted or transmitted without the written permission of the copyright owner. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, interference with, disclosure or copying of this information is unauthorised and prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please immediately advise the sender by return email and delete the message from your system. All email communications to and from NEXTDC Limited are recorded for the purposes of archival and storage.