NT1310, Physical Networking
Activity 1 – Data on Fixed Line vs. Cellular Device
Nick Conforti
Mr. Hafet 09/15/2014

There are two main types of broadband connection, a fixed line or its mobile alternative. Both have their strengths and potential weaknesses so you need to consider what suits your needs before you sign up on a lengthy contract.
Fixed line broadband is what most people have at home. It's a fast internet connection delivered by telephone wire (ADSL) or fiber optic cable. As the latter is now capable of speeds in excess of 100Mb, an increasing number of British homes have "superfast".
Mobile broadband uses the same technology as mobile phones to give you internet access wherever you go with your laptop, netbook, tablet or iPad. It's slower and usually comes with a relatively low download limit, but allows you greater flexibility away from home.

The Pros of having a mobile broadband is that you can take your broadband wherever you go - A mobile broadband connection is exactly that, which means that you can access your emails, check the sports results or watch YouTube videos no matter where you are, provided you have 3G receptions.
Stop paying for line rental - Millions of people continue to pay for line rental on a home phone landline that they rarely use, just so that they can get broadband at home, with mobile broadband, there's no need to pay line rental - potentially saving you over $100 a year.

The Cons of have a mobile broadband is Low download limits - Even the most generous of mobile broadband tariffs only offer a download allowance of 15GB per month, and that could set you back $25 a month on a two-year contract, while typical value packages offer less than 5GB a month.
High costs for exceeding your limit - Most mobile broadband providers charge a fee when you exceed your download limit. This is normally several pence per MB and costs can very quickly add up if you're not careful. Always keep an eye on your usage.

The pros of having a Fixed Line is faster speeds - The majority of broadband providers are now offering speeds of around 20Mb and upward, with actual speeds averaging around 8Mb and improving all the time.
Consistent connection - Because your home broadband is connected to a fixed line, it will be more reliable than a mobile broadband connection that is being moved from one place to the next, and which might sometimes lose its connection to the 3G network.

The Cons of having a Fixed Line is Switching problems - Because of the various technologies now used to supply fixed line broadband - ADSL, partial and full LLU, cable - switching between one provider and another is no longer always as simple as getting a MAC code, and customers occasionally end up with "" or having to pay "cease and re-provide" costs.
Technical difficulties - Although setting up your home broadband connection is very simple, some people - especially those not comfortable with computers - might struggle to set up a wireless router

If I were to recommend a “Skype” style service to a new company and had to choose between a fixed line or a mobile broadband, I would recommend a fixed line connection. I would recommend this because, if you have a business to connect to other businesses than it would be the best choice because you wouldn’t contact them on your mobile phone, that would just be unprofessional, and you would use a mobile connection to talk to your friends or family not business types.