Ofcom recently confirmed that it has awarded 12 new
licences for the wireless spectrum to be used on a low-power basis.
The licences are technology-neutral, which allows licensees to use
the spectrum for any purpose, within specified technical
limits.
A number of licensees are looking to exploit the spectrum for
private GSM mobile telephone networks in office buildings or
campuses. One such licensee, TeleWare, has set up a new subsidiary,
Private Mobile Networks, to provide fixed and GSM mobile integrated
networks fully supported by TeleWare products. The spectrum
allocation allows the company to extend its services to enterprise
customers, with key clients having commenced beta trials.
The system enables companies to integrate cellular telephony
with the enterprise PBX or IP-PBX infrastructure. At the heart of
the offering is a private mobile exchange (PMX) that utilises
existing mobile handsets to support an integrated IP, wireless
system for employees in the office environment, avoiding the need
to utilise a wireless Lan (WLan) infrastructure and telephones with
multi-wireless technology.
When an employee is within the private GSM network range the
mobile telephone becomes an extension of the company’s telephone
exchange. This is a simple, secure process, with only registered
mobile telephones able to access the network. Once registered, the
functionality of office telephones becomes available on the mobile
handset.
There are a number of ways a user can be associated with the
private network. The mobile telephone can be provided with a Sim
card that enables the telephone to connect to the private network
and allows the handset to work in a similar way to a digital
enhanced cordless telecoms-style phone.
Where connectivity is required to both the private and cellular
networks the user can choose to have a roaming agreement with a
mobile network operator, dual Sim cards, or to manually select the
operator from the telephone’s menu. Each option has its own
advantages and deployment will depend on specific business needs
for flexibility, security, cost and control.
The implementation of private GSM networks will significantly
lower the cost of using mobile telephones in the campus-based
environment. Additionally, organisations with multiple sites will
be able to route calls from each private GSM network telephone
across an IP network, further reducing expense.
Before adopting a combination of WLan and cellular technologies
to lower on-campus mobile telephone costs, Butler Group strongly
recommends that organisations consider the use of private GSM
networks as an alternative, which can exploit existing mobile
telephones and use GSM, a technology specifically designed for
voice usage.
Mark Blowers is senior research analyst at Butler
Group