Can You Survive on 4G Alone?

Here’s an interesting article in the Daily Telegraph about what the imminent launch of 4G mobile networks in the UK will mean for fixed line services. The question they ask (and answer) is: “If your phone or mobile hotspot can deliver faster, more reliable broadband than your home landline service, why not cancel the latter and rely on 4G for all your Internet needs?”

While 4G may be fast and reliable, its current business model (mobile devices) includes caps on the amount of data you can transfer per month, and if you’re a heavy user (online gaming, downloading movies etc.) then on current tariffs it can end up being very expensive.

But the seeds have been sown and it’s only a matter of time before the mobile networks start competing directly with BT, Sky et al for your home business. I predict we will see the first home Wi-Fi router with a SIM card slot instead of a phone line socket within twelve months.