Ericsson getting on the Wi-Fi bandwagon
Tuesday, February 21st, 2012 Karen Ambrose Hickey, Editor
GigaOM called it: Ericsson to buy BelAir Networks.
But I find one of their comments most telling:
“… moving from one hot spot to another is seamless and doesn’t require another sign on.”
Make it about getting the user connected and productive. Because being online, is productive.
“..This deal was all about Wi-Fi and the changing needs of the mobile operator. Wi-Fi offload has been a big trend in the last two years as operators try to defuse the data demands of their customers by shunting packets over to in-home, corporate or campus Wi-Fi networks. However, cellular operators have also been reluctant to give up control…”
“BelAir also has IP related to its equipment that makes it less obtrusive and can also create a larger Wi-Fi mesh network that more closely resembles a carrier’s cellular network. On a BelAir network it’s possible to configure it so moving from one hot spot to another is seamless and doesn’t require another sign on.”
From Kevin Fitchard’s earlier exclusive article:
“As smartphone data usage explodes, consumers have begun turning to home, office and public Wi-Fi to bring their handsets online, taking advantage of fast speeds while bypassing the data caps on their mobile plans. There are some exceptions, such as AT&T, but most U.S. mobile operators have been reluctant to incorporate Wi-Fi directly into their networks, preferring instead to keep customers on their 3G and 4G networks, where they can collect data revenues and maintain control of the network connection.”
Seamless connectivity is becoming more possible.
Tags: 3G network, 3G offload, 4G network, carriers, smartphone, wi-fi access
