Broadband: More flexibility with internet connectivity

Millions of customers have jumped on the mobile broadband wagon in the last couple of years. In fact, it's predicted that one billion customers will be using broadband by 2012. But according to maps published by Ofcom, the UK's independent regulator for the communications industries, the ease and reliability of connectivity to internet coverage across the UK is patchy, and sometimes non-existent, whatever your mobile phone network. In many rural areas there is a lack of traditional broadband services because of distant phone exchanges. Many want ways to achieve a better service. Professionals, especially, are looking for a more flexible form of internet access. Others are simply tired of having to wait to access the internet through a fixed router.

These people will be pleased to know that there are becoming ways in which you can access the internet anytime, anywhere. Experts have been working on ways to make it possible to turn even devices like game consoles into connected mobile internet systems. These experts are working on making it possible for the internet to be accessed through an increasing number of electronic devices, not just mobile phones. That means mobile broadband can in fact allow for a lot more customer convenience.

For example, Vodafone, one of the market leaders when it comes to 3G download speeds, have recently introduced the Vodafone Mobile Broadband Hotspot. This is a credit-card sized operating system, which effectively extends the benefits of mobile broadband for laptop and netbook users to users of all Wi-Fi enabled devices.

What's advanced about the development is that the Mobile Broadband Hotspot doesn't require any software installation to use. Users can connect quickly and easily to any device that supports the Wi-Fi standard, and then connect to the internet using Vodafone's mobile broadband connectivity. It's expected to bring the benefits of broadband use to a new range of devices like MP3 players and digital cameras.

Users can detect the mobile Wi-Fi cloud using any device configured for Wi-Fi and connect up to five devices, for four hours at a time, within a ten metre radius during any one period of use. And unlike the slow service and network congestion that many broadband users complain of, the new Hotspot device provides speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps. Right now, Vodafone's Hotpost device is currently available in Germany and Romania and will be brought to the UK in the near future. Have a look at their website for more on their mobile broadband.