Radio is still important today?

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fordy said:

I'm talking about the initial aim of the internet, what it's design is based on. Is it like that at the moment? Sort of, but not to a reliable level, hence the "eventually". Also, I'm talking about the transport method (possible transmission via WiMax or similar technology on an IP transport protocol). 4G is already the first step towards integrating the mobile phone network more seamlessly with computer networks via packet based transmission. Broadcasting methods such as television and radio will ultimately follow.

Besides: Just because a radio station is on backup power doesn't mean a WiMax tower cannot be.

Actually the packet data is used on 2G networks aswell. What newer generations improve upon, is speed and lag. Where 3G networks have speed up to around 40Mbps and lag below 200ms, and 4G networks currently operate at speeds max twice of 3G and max 50ms lag.

Mobile network tower being on backup power usually means someone would need to start the generator (same problem with FM amplifiers, but they have much better coverage).

Using a mobile phone network would be good idea (as smartphones have IP-based radio built in, though the cheaper ones have FM), but in the case of a disaster, the traffic would kill the network, and in some cases it might be even made available only to emergency calls and military use.