Industry Insights and Blog

#FutureofWirelessFriday – Convergence: DAS, Wi-Fi and more

With mobile data traffic growing exponentially, and with mobile networks shifting from coverage- to capacity-focused, mobile operators require a simplified network that can be easily scaled based on business needs. Since spectrum is a finite resource, mobile operators are looking at various ways to optimize its use to deliver the best Quality of Service (QoS) at the lowest Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

In the Future of Wireless Friday series, we will discuss how convergence, Radio Access Network (RAN) Virtualization and Software-Defined Network (SDN) can reduce operational and capital expenditures (CAPEX & OPEX), minimize network complexity and ultimately, optimize the usage of spectrum, a finite resource.

Let’s kick off the Future of Wireless Friday series with a discussion on convergence.

With convergence, the goal is to do more with less.

To deliver an optimal QoS, licensed spectrum continues to be the top priority for mobile operators. However, to achieve CAPEX and OPEX savings as well as to boost user’s mobile experience, the use of unlicensed spectrum is becoming an important compliment to cellular infrastructures. In many cases, mobile operators have to invest in a separate backhaul to support unlicensed spectrum in addition to their licensed cellular infrastructures. This separate backhaul leads to a lack of coordination between the cellular and Wi-Fi systems and results in low-efficient use of spectrum. Taking an integrated approach and having a combined licensed and unlicensed spectrum solution is required to seamlessly support Wi-Fi calling, LTE and Wi-Fi aggregation (LWA), and Licensed Assisted Access (LAA), all which enhance users’ mobile experience.

With the ability to support seamless operation between 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G and Wi-Fi services, mobile operators have the flexibility to focus capacity on high density areas, and augment coverage as required to optimize data throughput. Additionally, it enables other IP-based functions to be integrated, such as Wi-Fi access points, security cameras, as well as future applications such as indoor navigation and location based mobile advertising.

Another network convergence that we are seeing is utilizing GPON, Gigabit Passive Optical Network) to transport licensed and unlicensed spectrum. GPON is traditionally used to transport HD voice and next-gen TV services in hotels, hospitals, campuses and others. With a digital DAS solution, it can leverage existing fiber of the GPON infrastructure to deliver wireless coverage and capacity, on top of the triple or quad-play services. In other words, one pipe is used to deliver all forms of communication services.

In today’s heterogeneous network (HetNet), multiple technologies are often used, including DAS, small cells, and Wi-Fi to deliver the required coverage and capacity. Each of these technologies have its own merits, and by converging the best of elements of each of these technologies, optimal QoS can be achieved. With convergence, an integrated system can support the operation of multiple services including cellular, public safety, Wi-Fi, VoIP and IPTV over the same infrastructure. With this, not only will users experience an optimal experience, but mobile operators will also have a simpler solution within one of the most disrupted market – mobile telecom ecosystem.

Stay tuned for next week’s #FutureofWirelessFriday where we discuss RAN Virtualization and how it can optimize network resources, as well as other benefits. Share any comments or questions by tweeting us @DaliWireless. To read our past blog entries, click here.
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