Another year has passed us by, another one awaits us. With it comes new opportunities and exciting new times.

Could 2009 be a landmark year for broadband in Australia?

According to broadband comparison website www.broadbandexpert.com.au, it will be. Specifically, they are predicting sales of mobile broadband to double in 2009 and overtake fixed line broadband services within three years.

This is certainly a bold prediction. Considering the position, capacity and speed of broadband in Australia it's easy to shake your head at such a forecast. If you delve a little deeper though, it doesn't seem as far fetched.

According to the statistics, mobile broadband sales in Australia increased by approximately 40 per cent in 2008. Despite the financial crisis, there is absolutely no reason that this will not continue to rise. Consumers are demanding the ability to be connected, and not just in the home or office.

One reason for such a prolific rise in mobile broadband is social networking. Sites like Facebook, Twitter and MySpace have all been designed to be accessed and used while on the move.

Such rapid growth is all well and good, but we can only hope the networks keep their end of the bargain and provide a quality service. Last year, there were a number of issues surrounding mobile broadband in Australia — the most notable was significant problems with Optus' 3G network, leading to poor service and coverage.

If the technology continues to improve, and speeds and service get better, then there is no reason why mobile broadband can't be the big winner in 2009.

We can only hope.