Let’s look at the mobile internet – shall we start by thinking about the device interface. Well there is the size, the variability of functionality from text-only through to near full colour and functionality with all being in use. I do remember devices that were non-colour but I am old and the majority of these devices were the human interfaces into large computer systems – indeed the computer workers of the world may still use ‘TSO’ screens to access ‘REAL’ computers. Interesting there are now similar band width issues on the communications channel from GPRS through to HSDPA. (This is not quite as bad as dial-up / PSTN through to broadband / ADSL and beyond.)
So what, you may ask. I see this as the creation of another digital divide created by market forces and the speed of mobile technology development. I ask you who changes their laptop or desktop computer more often than their mobile phone? We will create a market where some people are able to access information and services on the move and others that can not. One area where the opposite is occurring is mobile network delivered internet access (the world of dongles). This technology is reaching a tipping point where it is easier, quicker to get working and for some users cheaper to access the Internet this way than over the classic ADSL (fixed line) technologies. I have had my dongle now for 15 months, during which time it has gone from a niche ‘3’ product to a core service for all operators, and now I think I will pass my device up to my mother-in-law to replace her dial-up access. It took my wife four years to teach her to text and boy does she text now – even though severely disabled with arthritis. I doubt it will take that long to get her on Skype messaging, voice and then video calls with her daughter – who does not know what Skype is yet. This I believe will be cheaper easier to use and probably more reliable that here current dial-up even though she is North of Stirling.
