The Mobile Internet

A blogpost about the mobile Internet, no news, just a general discussion. Feel free to add comments below.

In the UK there are 5 main network providers: Orange, T-Mobile, Vodafone, O2 & 3. Other networks such as Virgin Mobile, Tesco Mobile and Giff Gaff "piggy back" on these networks systems. And Orange and T-Mobile are now actually "Everything Everywhere", though the customer will still see the two independent brands.

These networks provide traditional connectivity for phone calls, SMS text messaging and GPRS. They also provide 3G internet connectivity (subject to network coverage). With the advent of 3G technology, and the ever increasing market share occupied by smartphones, the mobile Internet has truly arrived. With a strong 3G connection you don't need to be tied to your desk to pick up emails, or hop from wifi hotspot to hotspot (although there are huge number around these days) to watch the latest funny clip on YouTube.

Train journeys, dentist waiting rooms, even sat on the loo you can stay connected with your friends news feed on Facebook. You could even be reading Web Warp Blog out and about on your smartphone or tablet over 3G.

You can get a huge variety of service though from 3G network providers. Some networks seem to provide much faster speeds than others in different areas of the country. A strong signal is required for good download speed, and your hardware needs to be quick too.

iPad & 4G in the UK

The Advertising Standard's Authority are investigating Apple surrounding the advertisement of the new iPad, the BBC reports. The new hardware is capable of connecting to a multitude of wireless connections, Wi-Fi, 3G and 4G LTE. The most impressive of this list is the 4G technology. Apple distinguish their two versions of the iPad's connectivity options as:

1. iPad (Wi-Fi)
2. iPad (Wi-Fi + 4G)

However in the UK there are currently no 4G network providers, this is covered by a small note at the bottom of the page which lists networks operating a 4G service, and states which countries these operators are providing coverage to (USA and Canada). 

See the Apple store page yourself and feel free to comment below.

iPhone 4S 3G Speed

Apple's latest handset, the iPhone 4S has two antennas. Whether this is a quest for speedier mobile internet access or just a necessity for Apple's iPhone 4S to overcome the signal problems which affected some (mainly left handed) iPhone 4 users, is a debate for another day.

The key thing to note is that this change increases the theoretical download speed over the 3G mobile network from 7.2 Mbps to 14.4 Mbps by using both antennas at full capacity. From Apple's website:

Image: Apple Inc http://www.apple.com/uk/iphone/features/#performance

This claim is easy to make (and probably confirm) in laboratory conditions, but in the real world is it likely to happen? As any speed below 7.2 Mbps can't for certain be coming from this new dual antennas feature (despite the chances being that it probably is) I have set 7.2 Mbps as a benchmark. In a recent speed test with the iPhone 4S, in an urban area where there is good 3G coverage a download speed of 8.8 Mbps proves that this feature works in practice. And given the correct level of coverage, iPhone 4S users can benefit from faster speeds than (at the moment) any other 3G enable handset.

This is quite a turn around from the signal issues with the iPhone 4, and a welcome addition to an already fully featured handset. If you have tested the 3G speed of your handset, feel free to tweet @webwarpblog with details. Web Warp Blog recommends www.speedtest.net for internet speed testing. Mobile applications are available for iOS and Android devices.