According to comScore, access to the Internet through mobile broadband connections grew by 157% in 2007. Mobile broadband technology includes EV-DO Rev. A which is offered by both Verizon and Sprint. Mobile broadband connections are achieved through PC/laptop cards, built-in adapters, or by tethered smartphones. comScore pegs the number of unique mobile broadband users at 2.1 million. “Though mobile broadband access is currently used by about 1 percent of the total U.S. Internet population, it is poised for significant growth over the next few years,” said Serge Matta, senior vice president of comScore.

Mobile broadband will certainly increase dramatically, especially if Sprint’s Xohm gets off the ground soon. In fact, mobile broadband will increasingly impact the competitive landscape as more and more users find its convenience appealing. Mobile broadband has the potential to have a similar impact on landline broadband that cellular has had on landline voice. Additionally, telecom carriers will increasingly add mobile broadband to quad play bundles to create differentiation and competitive advantage. The numbers are low today because we are just leaving mobile broadband’s "embryotic" stage. But we will soon see "hockey stick" type growth and its competitive impact will be undeniable.

Recent announcements by Alltel about EV-DO launches in Montana and North Dakota illustrate the maturation of mobile broadband wireless beyond downtown urban clusters. Much of the attention around 3G deployments focuses on Sprint and Verizon Wireless’ EV-DO strategy of blanketing urban markets. But Alltel claims the largest EV-DO footprint (geographically speaking), and much of it is well beyond urban cores. Alltel’s latest announcement says they’re bringing mobile broadband to “Helena, Missoula, Billings and communities along Interstates 94 and 90” in Montana. That follows on the heels of similar moves by Alltel in North Dakota. Mobile broadband and the competition it empowers has arrived in rural America.

Rural America is no stranger to broadband wireless. But it’s typically been in the form of fixed wireless, where service providers have used Wi-Fi and other unlicensed spectrum options to expand the reach of their broadband footprints. Alltel, to some extent Verizon, and other smaller wireless players are now using EV-DO to provide more auspicious competitive broadband options to rural consumers, making it more enticing to “cut the chord” entirely. Wireless voice and now wireless broadband is within reach of millions of rural subscribers in much the same way that their urban counterparts have enjoyed it for some time. These mobile broadband solutions will broaden the competitive landscape for rural wireline providers and their DSL offerings. As mobile broadband continues to evolve through upcoming 4G technologies, its competitive implications will only broaden. Some rural service providers who historically have been somewhat shielded from wireless competitive pressures, may start to see the tides turn.

Nex-Tech Wireless, a Kansas based wireless service provider, announced the pending launch of a mobile broadband network utilizing EV-DO Rev. A technology. Nex-Tech will cover smaller rural communities in central and western Kansas. “We're taking that technology that's available in the major cities, the Kansas Cities and the Denvers, and we're making that available in a rural setting," says Johnie Johnson, chief executive officer at Nex-Tech Wireless.

Sprint unveiled its WiMAX product, which will be branded as Xohm (pronounced Zoam). Xohm will do a soft launch in 2007, with coverage for 100 million pops by the end of 2008. Sprint made clear that their WiMAX strategy goes well beyond broadband wireless laptop cards. Their partners, who include Intel, Samsung, and Motorola, intend to deliver 50 million WiMAX embedded devices. These devices range from cellular phones, to TV’s, to home PCs, meaning Sprint and their partners intend to use WiMAX to incubate a true wireless broadband ecosystem. An ecosystem where devices of all kinds, both in the home and in motion, are able to wirelessly connect to the broadband world.

If Sprint’s vision is executed well, Xohm has the potential to create significant competitive advantage for them. The next evolution for the Internet is true mobile/portable broadband connectivity, and it appears Xohm will be the first out of the gate. We are seeing glimpses of this future with EV-DO powered networks from Verizon Wireless and Sprint, but Xohm conceivably takes mobile broadband to the next level. Sprint’s ownership of a vast spectrum swath in the 2.5 Mhz band offers a compelling opportunity for them. The upcoming winners of the 700 Mhz auction may have the opportunity to join them. The pending launch of these broadband wireless services will bring to wireline broadband what cellular service brought to wireline voice. A compelling service that one day we’ll look back on and wonder how we ever lived without it.

Sprint has launched an all you cam eat wireless plan for $120/month which includes unlimited voice, text-messaging, and data services. For an additional $30/month, subscribers can get unlimited mobile broadband data service. While only in limited markets, including San Francisco, Sprint is certainly testing the market before deciding whether to go nationwide.