Cellular Vs wLAN Debate

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Cellular Vs wLAN Debate Sridhar Komandur
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• To paraphrase the topic
• Are cellular networks wLANs
• Complimentary or competitive ?

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Why Is wLAN Public Networks (Wi-Fi) Catching on ?

• Delays in 3G technology and service offerings
• Enabling Wi-Fi enterprise momentum to extend to
  2.5G/3G networks (wWAN)

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Why Is wLAN Public Networks (Wi-Fi) Catching on ?
(Cont)

• Wi-Fi technology aspects
• Higher speed (7 to 20mbps)
• Low cost to subscribers
• Ease of use (all IP)
• Low capEx
• Emergence of dual mode Wi-Fi/GPRS PC cards

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Why Is wLAN Public Networks (Wi-Fi) Catching on ?
(Cont)

• Enterprise leverage
• Strong adoption by enterprise market
• Increasing adoption by home networking market

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Wi-Fi Limitations

• Wi-Fi cells must be isolated from each other
• Difficult cell planning, no hand-offs
• Cell adjacency was not a design criterion
• Too many cross channel interference problems

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Wi-Fi Limitations (Cont)

• Unlicensed spectrum causes resource competition
• Availability, Bandwidth and QoS are unknown

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Wi-Fi Limitations (Cont)

• Spatially growing capacity can be difficult
• Interference limits Wi-Fi cells to 0.5 km radius
• Power emission regulations may limit growth

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Summary

• Wi-Fi is limited for ubiquitous
  deployment and
• Integration of Wi-FI and GPRS/UMTS is required

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Wi-Fi/Cellular Integration Needs

• Service transparency
• Guaranteed service availability (at beyond hot
  spots)
• Speed, performance, and guaranteed service

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Wi-Fi/Cellular Integration Needs
(Cont)

• Security
• Enterprise grade Authorization
  authentication
• OTA privacy
• Seamless handoff and mobility

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Wi-Fi/Cellular Integration Needs
(Cont)

• One bill, lower bill
• Best available speed over diverse access
• Service package ISP, ASP, Access, voice

Like voice, businesses will pay for wireless data