Towards a Wi-Fi ecosystem: Technology integration and emerging service models

Authors:
Vinoth Gunasekaran;Fotios C. Harmantzis
Affiliations:
Wesley J. Howe School of Technology Management, Telecommunications Management, Stevens Institute of Technology, Castle Point on Hudson, Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA;Wesley J. Howe School of Technology Management, Telecommunications Management, Stevens Institute of Technology, Castle Point on Hudson, Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA
Venue:
Telecommunications Policy
Year:
2008

Citing 6
Cited 5

Bluetooth: Connect Without Cables

Bluetooth: Connect Without Cables
WLAN-GPRS integration for next-generation mobile data networks

IEEE Wireless Communications
IEEE standard 802.16: a technical overview of the WirelessMANTM air interface for broadband wireless access

IEEE Communications Magazine
WiFi: what's next?

IEEE Communications Magazine
Hotspot wireless LANs to enhance the performance of 3G and beyond cellular networks

IEEE Communications Magazine
Interworking architecture between 3GPP and WLAN systems

IEEE Communications Magazine

An Architectural Framework and Enabling Wireless Technologies for Digital Cities & Intelligent Urban Environments

Wireless Personal Communications: An International Journal
The disruptive potential of Wi-Fi in the German hotspot market

International Journal of Mobile Communications
Performance comparison of 3G and metro-scale WiFi for vehicular network access

IMC '10 Proceedings of the 10th ACM SIGCOMM conference on Internet measurement
Business ecosystem strategies of mobile network operators in the 3G era: The case of China Mobile

Telecommunications Policy
The disruptive potential of PWLAN at the country-level: The cases of Germany, the UK, and the USA

Telecommunications Policy

Quantified Score

Hi-index	0.00

Visualization

Abstract

This paper outlines emerging business models of heterogeneous wireless networks that are mainly Wi-Fi centric. Wi-Fi networks can be integrated with the Internet and cellular infrastructures to offer innovative services (data and voice) to individuals and businesses. In the metro area network or a ''hot city'' type of coverage, an integration of WiMAX and Wi-Fi technologies will provide the most cost-effective solution of backhaul and access, for both voice and data services. In the cellular arena, as mobile operators look for new ways to connect, Wi-Fi can easily be integrated with the existing mobile data networks (2.5G/3G). An integrated offering that combines the mobility of cellular and the speed of Wi-Fi is an ideal mix for mobile broadband subscribers. This article also analyzes how Wi-Fi technology is being complementary to other wireless technologies, leading to an expansion of an organized Wi-Fi ecosystem. From an integration standpoint, this article shows the importance of Wi-Fi for cellular operators and also shows how Wi-Fi is crucial for WiMAX technology to evolve, till the mobile version of WiMAX becomes a reality. Finally, the paper describes why regulators and policy makers should seek suitable strategies to promote or encourage Wi-Fi as an alternative broadband access technology.