Rory Cellan Jones asks “which way to the mobile web“

How do you get the mobile internet? Via wi-fi - or perhaps through one of those dongles that you plug into a laptop?

Many using laptop Wi-fi and 3G have been battling it out for the last few years to be the technology that keeps you connected on the move. But today 3G gets a big boost, with the unveiling of an alliance between leading computer manufacturers and mobile operators to promote devices with mobile broadband built in.

The answer right now is both. Neither is good enough to be compelling as a single solution.

Technically the user sees very little difference. Right now, 3G has better coverage, WiFi usually has better speed.

Economically, there is little to choose between them IF you are paying for WiFi - what is shifting is that WiFi is increasingly being given away for free in “fixed mobile” places - ie places where you sit down, even when you are on the move - coffee shops etc. However, as Rory notes, the grand plans to create WiFi municipalities has died, as did those for WiFi ISPs in 2002/3, the technology still doesn’t lend itself well to more than local area broadcast.

Who will win in the future is the person who can make the best convergent platform:

The trouble is that, for most users, dealing with two rival connection methods is a lot of hassle and can prove expensive - especially if you go abroad. We need to know that we can move effortlessly between different wi-fi zones and providers and then onto the 3G network when appropriate. Steve Andrews of BT says providers around the world are working to make that happen: “Our mission is to make it seamless,” he says.

We welcome the day….and a seamless bill as well would be very nice.