3G Data Cards Hot Among Soccer Moms (and Dads) > So Much For Recession!

So Much For Recession!

Same reason someone would use something like "remote desktop" or "gotomypc" - your home computer is AT HOME tied to the landline . . . you are elsewhere with your laptop and need access to the files/programs on that home pc.

Mobile broadband can also serve as a "back-up" line for those who work from home (telecommute or home based business) if, say, the cable goes out (as has been known to happen).

And, I'd note, it hardly "crushes" the idea of a recession. LeBron James is probably still spending his Benjamins. Put differently, just because rich people are better suited to ride out a recession (by still spending money) doesn't mean that there isn't a recession . . . anymore that it did when the rich did the same during the Depression.

A more revealing question would be: how many mobile broadband users ALSO have a landline connections . . . and, then, what income bracket are most of those people (those with both mobile broadband and landlines) in?

reply to pnh102
Because not everyone spends every minute of their day in their basement on the computer. Some people actually spend time outside their home with family and friends but still need occasional online access. Shocking as it may sound to some of you.

reply to pnh102
Most surveys aren't very reliable, so read them with a bit of skepticism, especially if they don't jive with real world conditions. There's no quality control to determine who's given accurate information to survey takers and who hasn't. Hard economic data collected by the government, which is based on objective, quantifiable data shows we're really in a recession. Heck, believe the reports about broadband numbers stagnating. I believe the next reports on the broadband subscription base will actually show it shrinking, if low caps really start to be implemented (not only do caps raise network neutrality issues, they're stealth fee increases). As I keep saying, broadband is not an essential, unlike food, shelter and energy. As people's budgets get stretched to the breaking point, non-essentials will get dropped, including broadband Internet.

reply to pnh102
You asked "Why?"

The problem is the follow on part of your question which makes an assumption.

For example: My house is for sale and I've ended my cable modem connection some time ago. I had ended my landline even longer ago. My AT&T air card is my only personal internet connection. It's fast enough to suit my current needs. And travels with me.

It's not a matter of spending extra money for me. It's a matter of spending money _instead_. i.e. For air card instead of cable modem.

It's also nice because at work, I can get off of work's network and independently access the internet. Thus, I can maintain my privacy from work's monitoring of Internet usage.

reply to pnh102