A revolution is coming in the way SMBs connect to the Internet. The name of this revolution is LTE, for Long Term Evolution. LTE, is a wireless standard for high-speed data. LTE is based on the old GSM network technology. It provides increased speed and capacity with a different radio interface and core network improvements.
Join the Evolution
LTE is an evolution of the GSM standard. The goal of LTE is to increase the capacity and speed of wireless data networks using new DSP (digital signal processing) techniques and modulations. It also includes a redesign and simplification of the network architecture to an IP-based system. This provides much lower latency compared to the old 3G architecture. All the major 3G network operators (such as AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile) have announced that they intend to migrate to LTE. Verizon is far ahead of AT&T,Sprint & T-Mobile in deploying 4G LTE.
Gotta Love It!
The LTE specification provides downlink rates up to 300 Mbps, uplink rates up to 75 Mbps, QoS (Quality of Service) and latency of less than 5 ms in the radio access network. If you are a frequent reader of this blog, you know I love those last two items; QoS and low latency make LTE an ideal transport for voice over IP (VoIP) traffic.
Get it Fixed
Now, you may have heard of LTE as the next best thing for your mobile phone or tablet connectivity. But LTE has applications for fixed location businesses as well, especially for SMBs. LTE operates for a fixed site by using a wireless broadband router. For example, CradlePoint makes a variety of LTE routers like this broadband-to-Ethernet adapter (pdf) and this broadband router (pdf). Here (pdf) is a matrix comparing five different CradlePoint models for mobile broadband. These routers are highly functional, including wireless encryption, VLANs and VPN as well as remote management.
Backin’ Up
The broadband router can connect to your existing broadband (cable, DSL) connection via gigabit Ethernet ports. The LTE connection can then act as a wireless fail-over connection. Verizon currently promotes the service as a backup data solution. I think this is partly because this is a brand new product and they want to test the waters, but also because their pricing makes it impractical for primary use if you use any substantial bandwidth. That’s right, another difference between your legacy connection and this new service is that you will have to go back to paying for usage. But a fixed site business could deploy LTE as a backup strategy today and look at migrating it to a primary connection when competition increases and prices drop. Add VoIP to this wireless data connection and you have a complete solution.
Breaking the Landline
So, why do I call this technology revolutionary? (I know – it has evolution in its name…) First of all, this means SMBs are no longer tied to their land line provider for Internet connectivity. Any additional competition in this marketplace is a good thing. When the alternative provides additional functionality and flexibility, so much the better. Second, the service is priced so that it makes sense as a backup connection. For all those months you don’t have a network failure, you just pay the base rate since your usage will be zero. Getting an equivalent backup solution from your landline carrier would not be cost-effective for most SMBs.
New Possibiities
But maybe more important than both of those is the fact that LTE enables whole new business models. True mobile communications for business is now possible. A construction company can set up their trailer on the job site and have connectivity from day one. In the past they had to wait for the landline carrier to do an install. A retailer can take their goods to community events or wherever people are congregated rather than just trying to draw people to their fixed location.
Seasonal businesses can set up and tear down storefronts at will without paying exorbitant landline costs and being constrained by the carrier’s schedule. LTE can provide a stopgap solution while waiting for landline carrier to provision a new site, or reduce risk in setting up a new site by delaying the need for investment in fixed site services and equipment.
What Can You Envision?
The list of benefits goes on and on. A revolutionary technology like this enables you to begin to think of new possibilities. Could your business make use of a such a technology? Could you envision new delivery mechanisms for your existing services or new services that this could enable? Trust me; if you’re not thinking of these possibilities, someone else will be. Please share your thoughts in the comments.
broadband-to-ethernet adapter (pdf)
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