Last week, we published a mock debate on the virtues of fixed vs. mobile solutions. Today, we'd like to share a few reader replies to our discussion. 

First, we'll hear from David J. Green, senior Internet marketing and security consultant at NetGreen Consulting. Green has succinctly answered the debate with a matrix approach, suggesting that wireline services (just barely) edge out wireless solutions for enterprise applications.

He suggests that, "whoever can provide 'good enough' service that is fast, cheap and easy to use will win."

Green's matrix is shown below, using a scale of 1-5 with 5 being high:

Good enough: Wireless-3,  Wireline-4
Fast:  Wireless-2,  Wireline-4
Cheap:  Wireless-3,  Wireline-2
Easy to use: Wireless-4  Wireline-3

Totals:  Wireless-12  Wireline-13

Next, we hear from Madhusudhan Mendu, who states, "My opinion is it all depends on the business need." 

Mendu suggests that the both wireline and wireless services will "complement each other." In one example, he notes that mobile "backhaul still needs wireline connectivity" and that "end users [still need] wireline broadband access."  In another example, he cites a sales representative's need for "mobile connectivity for access to his CRM system on his mobile device while on the move" vs. the "end user who requires larger screen/intense application like IPTV [that] will choose wireline broadband access." 

As a parallel, he asks: "Did watches replaced clocks?" or "Did cell phones replace desk phones?" - concluding that in both cases neither solution displaced the other, and that both continue to exist as complementary solutions.

Steve Taylor is president of Distributed Networking Associates and publisher/editor-in-chief of Webtorials. Larry Hettick is a principal analyst at Current Analysis.