In the second part of our"wired or wireless for the enterprise?"discussion, Steve Broadhead, director of Broadband Testing
Labs, speaks to three wireless experts about where the technology
is heading.
Is the
convergence of Wi-Fi/3G inevitable, and what are the
benefits?
Andy Hood, managing director at network provider Sarian Systems,
says, "Advances in mobile technology and the increasing presence of
local
Wi-Fi hotspots provide the ability to deliver high-quality
services through an integrated model that has obvious benefits to
the end-user. Local hotspots and the integration of global
positioning systems into mobile devices allow location-specific
content and services to be deployed automatically using the most
cost-effective medium available. At its simplest level,
voice over IP applications are relevant to both the consumer
and enterprise user for making low-cost national or international
calls via services such as Skype. For the business user, video
conferencing and remote working become that much easier, and for
the consumer, local guides, video content and targeted services can
be delivered cost-effectively."
Is wireless technology robust enough for business use?
John Earley, business development director at wireless network
provider Manchester Metronet, says, "Four or five years ago, IT
managers were reticent about wireless communications technology.
In Manchester, we have addressed this apprehension with the
delivery of high-quality, mission-critical wireless CCTV
networks. In addition, we begun recruiting corporate data
customers 12 months ago. We now have 70 customers, and word is
spreading about the business justification for wireless services,
which includes cost savings, rapid installation and a service level
uptime that is better than that normally experienced by users of
legacy leased line communications.
"The key to our success has been avoiding Wi-Fi/Wimax-type
wireless services, which are not perceived as industrial-strength
services for mission-critical services. Instead, we have been
focusing on non-contended fully symmetrical circuits that are truly
equivalent to leased lines."
Where does
Wimax fit in?
Commercial deployments of Wimax networks by operators have
overtaken deployments of trial-only networks, according to research
firm Maravedis. In the third quarter of 2007, 58% of Wimax networks
worldwide were being deployed for commercial use, and 18% were in
the trial stage. Sixteen per cent of network operators own Wimax
spectrum but are doing nothing with it, and 8% of operators are
planning a Wimax launch.
Adlane Fellah, chief executive of Maravedis research, says, "We
expect the introduction of
major network deployments for mobile Wimax, combined with lower
equipment pricing, to accelerate subscriber growth in 2008 and
contribute to a 70% to 80% yearly increase in commercial
deployment.
"Many operators have slowed down their network expansion plans
to synchronise their commercial deployment with the upcoming
Wimax 802.16e equipment certification. Mobile Wimax will enable
them to offer more flexibility and value-added service."