Drivers for Wi-Fi and Cellular Convergence

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Course summary

Traditionally used for providing internet access in a fixed location, Wi-Fi networks have not really been deployed with a mobile user in mind. They utilize an unlicensed part of the spectrum, essentially costing nothing in terms of spectrum licence fees, and they offer high speed internet access, enabling users to consume vast amounts of data. Cellular networks on the other hand, targeting mobile telephony in the first instance, have been specifically designed to support mobility. They operate in bands within the radio spectrum allocated in expensive licence auctions, and offer data rates significantly lower than Wi-Fi. Mainly because of the issues surrounding mobility, cellular operators have historically shown little interest in Wi-Fi. That view however, is changing, and could do so on a monumental scale. Mobile Network Operators are currently trialling solutions that capitalise on both Wi-Fi and the unlicensed spectrum within which Wi-Fi operates. These solutions overcome issues surrounding mobility between Wi-Fi and Cellular Networks, and do so in a way that provides high data rates without the need to purchase further prized spectrum. This may be of equal benefit to Wi-Fi operators, offering seamless transition between hotspots as the capabilities of smart devices continue to evolve. In the next few years we are likely to see services that fully utilize the available spectrum, offering a heightened end-user experience in terms of data coverage and speeds. This presentation discusses these topics in more detail and looks at the key building blocks that will ensure the technologies operate harmoniously.

Who would benefit

This course is for anyone with a keen interest in the developments in the use of Wi-Fi by cellular service providers.

Prerequisites

An understanding of cellular communications would be beneficial, although there are no essential prerequisites to this course.

Topic areas include

• Wi-Fi and UMTS
• Wi-Fi and LTE
• Hotspot 2.0 and IEEE 802.11u
• Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF)
• Mobile IP
• Traffic Steering
• IP Flow Mobility (IFOM)
• Multi-Access PDN Connectivity (MAPCON)
• Wi-Fi Offloading
• Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi)
• LTE-U and LAA