In a little over a decade, the Internet has grown from an interesting distraction into an essential part of our lives.

Mobile broadband services let users like reality star Kimberly Stewart keep track of e-mail while on the go.

We can’t go more than an hour without checking e-mail. When we have a question or need more information (about anything), we pop open a Web browser and start Googling. At work, it’s all about videoconferencing, the corporate Intranet and online CRM tools. At home, it’s all about Limewire, YouTube and updating our Facebook page.

The ideal way to access all of these tools and resources is with a broadband (high-speed) Internet connection, something we’ve come to expect at home and at the office. According to 2007 statistics, 70 percent of adult Internet users have broadband at home [source: Pew Internet & American Life Project].

What about when we’re on the move? Surveys show that we still have the same hunger for Internet-based information, communication and entertainment. According to a 2008 report by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, 58 percent of all Americans have used a cell phone or PDA for “non-voice data activities” like sending an e-mail or or recording a video. And 41 percent of all Americans have used a WiFi-enabled laptop computer or other mobile device to access the Internet away from the home or office [source: Pew Internet & American Life Project].

Until recently, there have only been a few options for mobile access to the Internet:

• If you have a WiFi-enabled laptop computer or handheld device, you could check e-mail or surf the Web at free WiFi hotspots in places like airports, coffee shops, bookstores and some downtown areas.
• You could use a WAP (Wireless Application Protocol)-enabled cell phone. WAP is the universal standard for applications using wireless communications.
  
• You could buy a BlackBerry, iPhone or other smartphone to surf special WAP Web sites. But surfing speeds are slow and the Web sites are simple (no video, audio or cool graphics) to access e-mail and the Internet at higher speeds.

Now several major national cell-phone carriers have introduced technology that brings DSL-quality speed to any mobile device within range of a cellular signal, including laptop computers. Some even get bling decal kits for their gadgets.

Mobile Broadband Technology

Mobile broadband is powered by the same technology that makes cell phones work. It’s all about radio waves and frequencies. Cell phones and cell-phone radio towers send packets of digital information back and forth to each other via radio waves. In the case of a phone call, the packets of information carry voice data. For mobile broadband, the packets of information would be other types of data like e-mails, Web pages, music files and streaming video.

With mobile broadband, computer users can surf the Internet and check e-mail from any location, including outside.

There are two basic technologies used to operate cell-phone networks: Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). GSM is more popular in Europe and Asia and CDMA is more common in the United States. The major technical differences between the two systems have to do with the way each technology shares space on the radio spectrum. Without getting into the details, both GSM and CDMA use different algorithms that allow multiple cell phone users to share the same radio frequency without interfering with each other.

Mobile broadband is also known as 3G, or third-generation cell-phone technology. Both GSM and CDMA have developed their own 3G technology solutions for delivering high-speed Internet access to mobile devices.

The CDMA-based mobile broadband technology is called EV-DO (Evolution-Data Optimized or Evolution-Data Only). The trick behind EV-DO is that it runs over a part of the cellular network devoted entirely to data. Voice calls require a lot of bandwidth to maintain sound quality. By separating the data channel from the voice channel, the network can maximize data transfers and provide higher-speed access to e-mail, the Internet and multimedia. The downside is that you can’t access the Internet and other data tools when talking on your cell phone. EV-DO advertises average speeds of 300-400 Kbps (kilobytes per second), the equivalent of DSL.

To use an EV-DO network, you need to either have a device that’s already loaded with EV-DO hardware (like a BlackBerry or other smartphone) or a special network card that plugs into your laptop. These network cards connect via USB ports or other standard PC card slots and act as antennas for mobile broadband signals. For the fastest download and upload speeds, you need to be within range of the EV-DO cellular signal. Otherwise, you’ll be bumped down to the 1xRTT (Radio Transfer Technology) standard, which broadcasts at speeds between 60 and 100Kbps.

GSM’s answer to EV-DO is something called HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access). Unlike EV-DO, an HSDPA network can handle both voice and data transfers, so you can talk to mom and surf the Web at the same time. It maximizes data transfer speeds by focusing on downloading information, not uploading. HSDPA advertises average download speeds between 400 to 700 Kbps.

Like EV-DO, you’ll need special network hardware to access HSDPA mobile broadband. You either need a device with a built-in HSDPA card or a special PC card that plugs into a laptop computer. You’ll also need to be within range of an HSDPA signal, which is concentrated in metropolitan city centers and along major highways.

Now let’s look at some of the features of mobile broadband service as offered by the large cell-phone providers in the United States. For easy buying we can use payday loan

This presents a new mechanism, called a shadow driver, that improves overall system reliability by concealing a drivers failure from its clients while recovering from the failure. During normal operation, the shadow tracks the state of the real driver by monitoring all communication between the kernel and the driver. When a failure occurs, the shadow inserts itself temporarily in place of the failed computer driver, servicing requests on its behalf. While shielding the kernel and applications from the failure, the shadow driver restores the failed driver to a state where it can resume processing requests. Our design for shadow drivers reflects four principles:

1.

Device driver failures should be concealed from the drivers clients. If the operating system and applications using a driver cannot detect that it has failed,they are unlikely to fail themselves.

2.

Recovery logic should be centralized in a single sub-system. We want to consolidate recovery knowledge in a small number of components to simplify the implementation.

3.

Driver recovery logic should be generic. The increased reliability offered by driver recovery should not be off set by potentially destabilizing changes to the tens of thousands of existing drivers. Therefore, the architecture must enable a single shadow driver to handle recovery for a large number of device drivers.

4.

Recovery services should have low over head when not needed. The recovery system should impose relatively little over head for the common case(that is, when drivers are operating normally).

Overall, these design principles are intended to minimize the cost required to make and use shadow drivers while maximizing their value in existing commodity operating systems. Such as sound driver and windows driver are compatible to this post.

Broadband today: your options

3G mobile broadband is now available from all of the major operators in Australia. The major differences between the available services are coverage, performance and price. Since launching its NextG network, Telstra has led the race in terms of coverage and performance but Optus is rapidly closing the gap. VHA, the organisation resulting from the merger of Vodafone and Three, offers more aggressive pricing but is behind when it comes to coverage.

3G broadband is now more competitively priced than even entry level DSL. Coverage by the major network operators also rivals DSL:

• Telstra offers 99 percent coverage with its Next G network

• Optus offers 96 percent with its Yes G network. Aims to hit 98 percent by end the end of 2009

• Vodafone and Three to merge Australian operations to achieve 95 percent coverage

VPN services meet your business needs

VPN (Virtual Private Network) access is becoming the most significant driver for 3G broadband uptake when it comes to SMEs. It is being used for a mix of mobile, roaming and fixed requirements and as a substitution for DSL services, in circumstances where it arguably offers advantages. The availability of network-based 3G broadband VPN services will serve to increase the attractiveness of 3G broadband to business customers due to the high speed, broad coverage and relatively low cost that it now offers.

VPN is ideal for SME businesses. The ability to build corporate networks on a common IP core has transformed the way such businesses operate. The ability to connect 3G broadband services into such networks will drive further transformation. IP VPN technology is now very mature, having evolved in parallel with DSL. The speed and cost of 3G services is evolving more rapidly than was the case for DSL. 3G broadband is able to be used as a mobile, nomadic and fixed service, making it extremely versatile.

3G mobile broadband and your business

Being inherently ‘mobile,’ 3G broadband services are ideal for use by mobile field resources such as consultants and service technicians. Similarly, it is well suited to regular travelers or ‘road warriors’ that need access from their hotel, while at a client site or simply between meetings whilst sitting in a coffee shop. Sales staff will also benefit from the mobile nature of 3G broadband. They might look up and/or update details whilst with a client or perhaps avoid unnecessarily trips back to the office between meetings, saving precious selling time. For example, taking car hire Morocco with broadband service will give your mobile gadget access to the Internet.

I met with a client recently who has consultants that typically work on location at major banks and financial institutions. They have often found it hard to make arrangements for appropriate connectivity for their staff, which may require allowing for VPN access through a firewall. VPN access via a 3G broadband connection is an ideal solution in this instance; however it would be wise to have an external antenna, particularly if working in multi-story buildings.

In sites with a single computer and/or where an appropriate router and/or firewall is used, 3G broadband services may also be used to cater for ‘nomadic’ or ‘fixed’ requirements.

Given that there is no need to ‘install’ or ‘uninstall’ a 3G broadband service, they offer significant benefits for nomadic requirements. An example might be a stand at a trade show, where it has typically been costly and painful to set up appropriate network connectivity. Other examples might be a short-term retail shop, a temporary office while a business goes through a period of change or perhaps a disaster recovery site. In each case, 3G broadband offers cost savings and much less fuss.

Think of a staff member who frequently works from home and occasionally works on client sites. A 3G broadband service provides access in both cases and might also feature in your disaster recovery plan as it enables them to work from wherever it is deemed appropriate. And if they leave the business, you can reallocate their 3G device to another member of staff without having to pay any setup or termination fees. In short, 3G broadband is very adaptable and offers significant flexibility.

Choosing the right mobile provider is an important decision for any modern business with employees on the go. Technology is becoming increasingly mobile, and for many SMEs, the difference between a good day and a bad day can come down to just one call and their ability to respond.

A missed call or email, but particularly a delayed response to clients, could spell disaster for SMEs. It’s therefore important that businesses are fully mobile and accessible at all times. There are a variety of different mobile providers to choose from in Australia that cater for an ever-growing range of mobile services. Here are some important steps to take prior to choosing a mobile provider and some crucial questions to ask before you sign on the dotted line.

Assessment
First and foremost, you must assess and understand the mobile technology requirements for your business before examining your options. When considering the following points, keep in mind your company’s growth plans, as your mobile service will need to develop and grow as you do.

Level of access required:

• How many employees will share the company’s mobile plan?
• Do you have any employees that are regularly out of the office? For example, sales teams spending significant time on the road or employees working from home?
• On average, how much time do your employees spend on their desk phone vs. mobile phone? Do you need your mobile phone to act as both?
• Is email and internet usage an integral part of the way your business operates?
• Do you need to place restrictions on employee mobile usage, for example, the level of data they can download?
• How often do your employees travel both interstate and overseas?

Account management:

• Do you have an existing mobile contract that may affect negotiations with a new mobile provider? This will need to be flagged with your new mobile provider so that they can tailer a deal that’s right for you.
• Is your business currently supplied mobile services in addition to mobile solutions, such as mobile broadband? If so, how many suppliers across the business are involved? Can you benefit from streamlining your suppliers?
• Are your mobile services interoperable or stand-alone?
• Does your business have access to technology conducive to the level of mobile access you require, or do employees need a handset upgrade to enable them to be as efficient and productive as they can be?

Price
As in all business decisions, one of the crucial differentiators with choosing your mobile provider is price. Once you’ve assessed your mobile needs, it’s important you engage a mobile provider that can offer you the services you require at the best possible price; but look deeper than just the quoted call rate. Ensure you’re getting genuine value.

The flexibility of your mobile plan is key to maximising the cost-effectiveness of your corporate mobile solution. Most of the major mobile service providers in Australia provide a certain level of flexibility and scalability to their corporate customers, but it’s important you understand the structure of the plans being offered to ensure it’s the right one for you. Generally, the most cost-effective plan is one that lets a group of employees share from the same pool of talk-time, rather than bill each single employee separately on general call rates. A shared pool option allows for greater certainty in your mobile spend each month, minimising the chance of bill shock. It’s unusual for mobile service providers to charge their corporate customers in this way, so do your research to ensure you don’t exceed your budget allocation.

It’s also worth noting the flagfall rate of the corporate mobile plan you choose. Flagfall is a fixed fee that mobile service providers charge to connect each call, with the total cost deducted from the monthly value of a customer’s plan. Some mobile providers, such as Vodafone Australia, have removed flagfall from their corporate plans, allowing greater cost savings and account transparency for customers.

Coverage
Mobile network coverage—both locally and internationally  will directly affect your ability to use mobile services. When thinking about your business’ requirements, also think about the locality in which your employees operate, evaluating how far they travel and the mobile activity required to conduct business effectively in those areas. Do your employees spend 99 percent of their time in metropolitan areas? In which case, paying a costly premium to a mobile provider that guarantees you coverage in Uluru may not be the best way to spend your business dollar.  Australia’s leading mobile service providers, including Vodafone, Telstra and Optus, have reasonable levels of network coverage with further enhancements expected to take place mid-2009.

International travel is becoming a more frequent component of how SMEs operate, whether for client meetings, product selection or undertaking sales. It’s crucial that your mobile provider offers you the best global network coverage with the best international rates, so that you can operate with minimal fuss and disruption wherever you are. While most leading mobile service providers can connect you globally, Vodafone is the only mobile provider in Australia to have its own global network. For this reason, it is able to offer extensive roaming throughout the world, with call rates at the optimum level of value. As with domestic calls, it’s key your mobile service provider offers a clear pricing structure for their international call rates. You shouldn’t have to pay more to your bill to receive great value international rates. Look for service providers that allow you to add on tariff options to your bill for free.

The internet is more important than ever for small to medium businesses looking to maintain an edge over their rivals. Look for a mobile service provider that offers the most cost-effective mobile data plans abroad. For businessmen and women who need to travel regularly, their mobile broadband needs to be able to travel too, so look for a service provider that offers the best international coverage and roaming rates.

Technology
Your corporate mobile package isn’t just about network coverage and applications, but the ability to operate your business using the best technology available. When choosing your mobile provider look at the types of handsets available with each of the corporate plans. Look too at the add-on technology available for your mobile solution. It’s important your provider notifies you when upgrades and updates are available so that your technology is working as effectively as it can. Applications are also an integral part of maximising your technology, so check whether your mobile provider allows business-friendly applications such as GPS.

Customer service
A loss in communications for a business can mean a loss in sales so, if things go wrong (and they will from time to time) it’s important you have a dedicated team you can turn to for help. When it comes down to choosing a service provider, many SME owners will see quality customer service as a make or break component. A knowledgeable, reassuring voice at the end of the phone line can make a world of difference when in times of crisis.

Choosing a service provider based on its customer service qualities can be difficult, however there are a few stand-out features that SMEs can look for when making their appraisal. Firstly, evaluate whether your mobile service provider offers a one-stop-sho customer service centre, offering advice on all your telecommunications components. Secondly, check if your mobile service provider offers free customer service. Some service providers can charge a fee for customer service calls, so check the fine print. Also, check what hours they operate in. You don’t want to be stuck overseas with no mobile, no internet and no customer service. Look for a service provider that offers free 24/7 customer care; essential for business users who find themselves working late into the night, over weekends or while overseas.

For larger businesses, mobile service providers are able to offer dedicated account management teams. And, if you are based in Australia, you will want a dedicated client executive team based in Australia which understands your business, the local market and account, and can talk to you in your own timezone.

Solution
When looking at the mobile solution for your business, smart SMEs should also look at other ways to improve business efficiencies and consider consolidating mobile service suppliers into one. In fact, services such as mobile broadband, mobile internet, mobile calls, fixed-line calls and WiFi are all essential to keep your business viable in 2009 and give you an edge over the competition. Understandably, several types of communication solutions can cause a bit of a head ache for CFOs, with several separate bills potentially hitting their in-trays each month.

To help streamline your communications solution, try to look for a mobile service provider that offers an all-in-one solution, as one bill for all your communications services equals much less of a headache for SME business owners and CFOs. This approach allows for easier financial reporting and maximised cost savings. Furthermore, look for trusted brands that offer their services as part of an all-encompassing package. This needn’t mean a compromise on the viability of the package for your business, so make sure that the service you purchase is scalable to ensure a tailored solution that fits your business like a glove.