With Mobile World Congress a distant memory, the hot topics from the show are still making headlines. Voice over LTE and Wi-Fi are key themes for 2015 but the highest profile topic remains ubiquitous wireless connectivity and how different radio interfaces will combine to provide this.
Whether it’s evolution to current 802.11 Wi-Fi standards on the 2.4GHz, 3.6GHz and 5GHz spectrum bands or new technologies developed for vacated TV white spaces, Wi-Fi is going to play a major role in the future of wireless data services. But man cannot live by Wi-Fi alone. Even more imperative is the convergence of licensed and unlicensed technology for true ubiquity.
Mobile devices evolving to support wireless connectivity must combine all GSM bands plus LTE and Wi-Fi when roaming or calling to satisfy consumer demand. For example, the combination of Wi-Fi with LTE to provide calling services maximises network coverage and benefits from the best of both technologies – Wi-Fi for indoor home and office coverage, and LTE for outdoor mobility. Convergence of both radio technologies increases customer adoption by providing full coverage faster.
In Africa where mobile data is still expensive, Wi-Fi is a smart way for most people to make their first step onto the Internet, enabling cheaper devices and removing the need for data plans.
Google’s initiative tends to un-bundle services from connectivity, an approach from OTT players, networks are needed to support OTT services. The ecosystem must remain balanced between service and network providers to guarantee sufficient funding and sustain QoS otherwise remaining models will comprise low-cost networks forcing advertisements on users.
Users’ switching to Wi-Fi is a fact nobody can contest. However, for all the fanfare making sure networks are cohesive is top of the agenda to fulfill the seamless handoff utopia we’ve all been dreaming about. 2015 will see the first voice-over-IMS roaming solutions launch with a core network in full IP leveraging any radio access network providing data IP connectivity. This will be the killer application, closing the gap between unlicensed and licensed technology, making NGH a reality for operators to provide a consistent user journey between LTE and carrier grade Wi-Fi.
Cedric Gonin, Senior Director Marketing, International Convergence and Mobile Services at Orange
