Selecting the Appropriate Wireless
Technology for your Network
In order
to assist you in selecting a technology
for your wireless network deployment,
we have narrowed down eight points to
consider for a cost-effective, reliable,
and scalable network. .
1.
Cost Effectiveness –
ABI research estimates that cumulatively
almost 1 billion Wi-Fi chip sets will
be sold in 2H2008. With such a high demand
for Wi-Fi products the economies of scale
have been achieved in manufacturing. The
cost of a WiMAX CPE is almost three times
that of a Wi-Fi CPE. Alternately, while
cellular networks are designed especially
for voice communications and hence the
cost of the data terminals is high. Today,
smartBridges’ Carrier Wi-Fi is the
most cost effective, high performance,
and scalable wireless solution in the
market.
2.
Speed of Deployment –
Carrier Wi-Fi usually operates in the
license-exempt 2.4GHz (802.11b/g) and
5GHz (802.11a) frequency band, as compared
with WiMAX and Cellular networks that
operate on a licensed band. This significantly
accelerates the Carrier Wi-Fi’s
speed of deployment, as regulatory approvals
are not required. For operators that own
spectrum and would like to deploy Wi-Fi
on their licensed band, smartBridges devices
now support 2.3-2.5GHz or 4.8-5.9GHz.
Click here
to learn more about smartBridges devices
that support the licensed frequency bands.
3.
Maturity – Technology
maturity is a very serious consideration
before implementing any type of a solution.
In the past decade, Wi-Fi has gone through
rigorous updates and certifications to
ensure performance, reliability, and security.
This is clearly visible by hundreds of
millions of Wi-Fi enabled devices such
as, laptops, PDAs, phones, game consoles,
and media players available in the market.
In addition, Wi-Fi encryption and authentication
has been significantly improved in the
past few years with the introduction of
the IEEE 802.11i standard. While cellular
security isn’t IP-based, and WiMAX
security is still in its early stages
of development, Wi-Fi provides robust
WPA/2, AES encryption along with 802.1x
RADIUS authentication. Click here
to learn more about the security features
supported in smartBridges Carrier WiFi
devices.
4.
Quality of Service (QoS)
– Both enterprise and residential
users are exploring the possibilities
of reducing costs by leveraging the capabilities
of the Internet in order to communicate
with their associates and loved ones.
QoS ensures high quality, simultaneous
access for data, voice, and video applications
in order to provide true Triple Play applications.
The combination of IEEE 802.11e and sB
enhanced mode deliver unsurpassed quality
for multimedia applications. Click here
to learn about smartBridges’ solution
for fixed location VoIP telephone service.
5.
Coverage - Point-toPoint
(PtP) Carrier Wi-Fi is capable of linking
two networks of up to 50Km in a near-line-of-sight
environment, while a Point-to-MultiPoint
(PtMP) link can range up to 15Km using
an external antenna. Cellular networks
are often configured in PtMP mode and
offer greater overage, however they cannot
achieve data rates anywhere close to that
of Carrier Wi-Fi. Alternately, WiMAX can
achieve similar data rates and coverage
at a higher cost as compared with Carrier
Wi-Fi. Click here
to learn more about link budgeting with
smartBridges devices and how it can improve
wireless coverage.
6.
Mobility – In busy
urban areas, the need to access information
on-the-go is crucial for correspondence
and prompt decision-making. In such instances,
connecting to a mobile WiMAX or cellular
network would offer wide coverage and
constant connectivity. However, in emerging
nations and rural areas where the need
to access information at all times isn’t
necessary, and a mobile handset is not
affordable, fixed/nomadic Carrier Wi-Fi
can offer the community with access to
the Internet. smartBridges has connected
rural areas to the city centre through
Wi-Fi links, which in turn provide Internet
access to an entire community. Click here
to learn more about fixed Wi-Fi for rural
communities.
7.
IP Services – Enterprises
are beginning to unify their high-end
systems with their legacy systems to provide
cost-effective voice, video, and VPN services.
IP Services eliminate the need for expensive
dedicated cellular or satellite links
for their branch offices to communicate
with each other. smartBridges Wi-Fi devices
are IP-based and offer multimedia, VPN,
and routing features.
8.
Subscriber Data Rate
– Data rates using Carrier Wi-Fi
can reach up to 108Mbps, while WiMAX can
support data rates of up to 75Mbps. Cellular
on the other hand can achieve only 10Mbps
(HSPA). For operators that are offering
high-bandwidth services such as voice
and video can leverage the throughput
and extended range offered by the enhanced
mode of smartBridges devices.
Refer
to the chart below for a comparison of
the wireless technologies.
smartBridges has enhanced and extended the widely available, state-of-the art 802.11 COFDM wireless technology to carrier grade robustness. This results in an extremely high performance yet cost efficient, standards based wireless platform that enables delivery of new IP services in large scale
networks.
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In
order to meet the budget and application requirements
of deploying a wireless network, as well as simplifying
the product selection process, smartBridges backhauls,
access points, and client devices are strategically
repositioned. In addition to this, customers now have
a choice of selecting products that operate in licensed
bands, such as 2.3-2.5GHz or 4.8-5.9GHz.
smartBridges
is offering its flagship 2.4GHz client device –
sB3415-01 - at a very special rate for a limited time only!