compatibility requirements, cabling and
configuration, and maintenance must
also be considered
Following is a synopsis of the avail-
able coverage solutions for the mid-sized
enterprise space to date which have met
with some success, as well as an outline
of a new approach – a hybrid solution
combining the performance of the high-
end systems with the ease-of-install and
lower-cost that the middleprise needs.
Wi-Fi Calling
Wi-Fi calling is an option that
typically requires at least 1 Mbps of
throughput. On the plus side, it is rela-
tively easy and cost effective, but it
does have drawbacks. With a limited
footprint and the questionable reliabili-
ty and security of unlicensed spectrum,
as Wi-Fi gets more crowded with users
and devices, it has increasing difficulty
in delivering quality service.
Wi-Fi calling has four issues to con-
sider. The first issue is carrier-support.
In the U.S., all carriers support Wi-Fi
calling. But in other parts of the world,
Wi-Fi calling has received a mixed re-
ception from carriers.
The next issue is the handset. Not
all devices are Wi-Fi calling compatible.
T-Mobile has 20-plus smartphones that
support this option. On Sprint, Wi-Fi call-
ing is available on a number of iPhone
models that run iOS 9.1 or higher. Most
Android devices have the service as
well but not all. AT&T offers Wi-Fi calling
for several handsets, while Verizon has
nearly 20 phones in its Wi-Fi lineup. This
could be problematic in an office setting
since not all users would necessarily
have compatible handsets.
The third issue is that calls can be
dropped as individuals move beyond
the Wi-Fi zone because the calls will
not always automatically hand over to
the mobile network. And finally, while
some carrier plans will provide Wi-Fi
calling at no cost or penalty, others
charge for minutes just like they would
a normal cellular voice call, which
could escalate users’ monthly costs.
Given the limitations of Wi-Fi, most
enterprises will use Wi-Fi calling as a
supporting connectivity layer but not as
the primary mission-critical connection.
Small Cells
Indoor small cells are low-powered
cellular radio access nodes that that have
a coverage range of around 10 to 30 me-
ters. Small cells are one way the carriers
can provide capacity and coverage, and
many operators see small cells as crucial
to managing their limited spectrum more
efficiently. The macro network with its big
cell towers can provide only so much cel-
lular service. Small cells provide addition-
al cellular service capacity, that doesn’t
rely on the macro network, to the specific
venues where they are located.
Carrier-grade backhaul connectivity
is important to effectively connect small
cells to the core network, to deliver ro-
bust cellular coverage. More users on a
small cell (higher density) will increase
the bandwidth demands on the backhaul.
Backhaul is essentially an Internet con-
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