w w w . g r e e n p a c k e t . c o m
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Wi-Fi DATA OFFLOADING,IMPACTS ON CAPEX AND OPEX
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Abstract
Continued aggressive growth in data traffic fuelled by increase in smartphones, video and application usage has created an urgent need for faster and efficient networks. Figuring an approach to make systems extensible and scalable is important to the success of effective data offload strategies that bridge the gaps of disparate systems.
This paper will describe the Wi-Fi offload approach from the perspective of modeling the traffic model, impacts on the CAPEX and OPEX costs within network infrastructure, managing and integrating multiple access technologies. We examine the offload trend amongst Wi-Fi and small cells landscape of femtocells. The emerging trends in key geographical regions, supporting technologies, infrastructure requirements and product portfolio are discussed. Rapid proliferation of smartphones and the popularity of value added services have increased the data traffic significantly. As the penetration of smartphone devices ranging from entry level to mid-level and high-end market increases further, new opportunities exist for carriers to further monetize advanced Wi-Fi services to overcome the threat of over the top applications eroding their market share.
Contents
Overview 01
Mobile Me, Creating a Compelling Experience 02
Hybrid Mobile Devices
Optimized Experience
Building a Successful Offload Strategy 05
Data Offload Study• Designing Offload
Trade-Off between Macro Cell Densification and Wi-Fi• Wi-Fi Offload Simplified• Wi-Fi Offload Observations
Wi-Fi or Femto 11
Scalability
Standardization
Subscriber Management – Policy Meets Revenue Opportunity
Greenpacket Mobile Data Offload Solution 14
Seamless Data Offload
Dynamic Data Offload
Wi-Fi Experience Management
Conclusion 17
Wi-Fi Now, Maximize Investments 19
References 20
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Overview
The explosion of data traffic was not an overnight phenomenon.
Wi-Fi entered the wireless scene much earlier in the early 2000’s, but was
deemed too niche in the initial stage. The detractors saw Wi-Fi as a poor
cousin to cellular technology that had strict security and QoS
measurements necessary to deliver voice centric services at that time.
Fast forward to 2010, the telecoms landscape has evolved and
transformed into a 2nd generation of end-users that demand more than
voice services. The take-off of HSPA between the years 2006-2008 was a
turning point in the adoption of data-centric services. The impact of mobile
data hit hard on mobile operators, when AT&T launched the iPhone in
2007. Undoubtedly, the signing of higher revenue customers that used
smartphones was welcomed. However, the network was embroiled in
apologetic customer relations in the aftermath of frustrated customers for
dropped calls, spotty services, delayed text and voice messages and drastic
download speeds in densely populated areas.
There were up to 4121 HSPA networks globally deployed, responding to the
mobile broadband explosion. The once dominant voice and SMS services
were then reduced to the basic fundamental services that an operator
provides, with little excitement, as the price competition drove down even
further the revenues. It was the plethora of web 2.0 applications that were
engaging, new and interesting which kept the end-users excited and thus
operators are finding it hard to keep up their bandwidth.
Despite the efforts of AT&T to fix the network inefficiencies, and doubling
capacity, it did not stop customer’s backlash and switch to a rival carrier.
Smart devices like iPhones, iPads and tablets can be disruptive, if the
operator cannot handle the traffic that is generated. In order to mitigate the
negative sentiments that impacted growth rates, reduction of high revenue
customers and loss of brand value; AT&T embarked on improving its
service delivery with alternative data offload approach and communicate
those investments by deploying over 29,000 Wi-Fi hotspot to allow its
customers to access its services complementary to the cellular network.
Overview - 01WHITEPAPER Overview - 01WHITEPAPER
1Source : Informa Telecoms & HSPA+ Media, 4G Americas – Aug 2011
Where is Wi-Fi - 02WHITEPAPER Mobile Me, Creating a Compelling Experience - 02WHITEPAPER
Mobile Me,Creating a Compelling Experience
Anytime and anywhere connectivity is important in today’s lifestyle and thus
resulting in the pressure for operators struggling to maintain network
efficiency and rapid service delivery. The simplifying of user interface like the
iPad is so intuitive. It may not necessarily be the most technologically
advanced device, but ranks high on usability scale. These devices have
made accessing Internet, applications and so forth pervasive. The key to
keeping customers happy is to delight them. Increasingly, operators
worldwide are recognizing the importance of building good customer
relationships. The customer experience extends beyond getting the
customers on-board. The ultimate goal is to create excellent mobile
performance, brand and better communicate with their smartphone and
tablet-savvy customer base by getting closer to; when and how to connect,
offering loyalty programs like rewards, or some other end goal to activate a
marketing ad and spend time with the operators’ brand. So that it will give
them a good reason to do it the first time and then a great experience so
they’ll do it again and again.
Hybrid Mobile Devices
The connected world now is dominated by smartphones and media
tablets. Worldwide PC shipments totaled 84.32 million units in the first
quarter of 2011, a 1.1 percent decline from the first quarter of 2010 and
showing signs of slowdown. Low prices for consumer PCs, which had long
stimulated growth, no longer attracted buyers. Instead, consumers turned
their attention to media tablets and other consumer electronics. The overall
connected device market will grow at more than 40% CAGR3 through 2014
and 50% from 2015-2020. The smart devices that enter the market are
becoming more diverse in terms of functionality, platform support and
usability. Android based devices have the potential to drive down price
points, with lower, mid and higher range models to hit different markets. 2Source : Gartner April 2011 “Market Share: Preliminary PC Shipment Estimates by Region, 1Q11 Update”
3Source : Gartner “The M2M Market Evolution: Growth Attracts Everyone”
Overview - 01WHITEPAPER Mobile Me, Creating a Compelling Experience - 03WHITEPAPER
Figure 1 : Hybrid Smart Devices
Hybrid type devices will dominate in coming years, as more multi
development and delivery allow applications and content developers to
extend their reach over open APIs to be included into devices. In terms of
the multi-touch interfaces, it will have even greater sensitivity and
processing ability to run faster and more intensive through HTML 5 support.
These new generations of smart devices will become a component of other
end products and systems. For example, the iPad is now already used
popularly in conjunction with PoS terminal for providing inventory, billing and
ordering systems.
Figure 2 : Forecast shipment of media tablets and smartphones 2010-2015Source : Gartner
200
400
600
800
1,000
1,200
Million of Units
0
270.93
17.61
362.45458.01
561.42
169.73
677.18
775.79
235.69318.32
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Media Tablets Smartphone
69.08 114.58
Where is Wi-Fi - 02WHITEPAPER Mobile Me, Creating a Compelling Experience - 04WHITEPAPER
Optimized Experience
Consumer behaviors are driven in part by the usability and simplicity of the
device to bring out the experience. Similarly, operating systems and
platforms are a blend of functional utilities. Optimization of the applications
and development tools are changing compression techniques from settings
that were impractical or that were restricted in traditional approaches into
optimized support. This largely, helped reinvent the approach to deliver the
web-centered approach surrounding application and media consumption.
The convergence of IT and the cascading effect on the consumer
electronics industries has had a shift in IT innovation from large businesses
direct to the consumer. Likewise, many mobile application priorities are
being re-invented for various areas. CIOs and CTOs of organizations are
recognizing the commercial benefits of combining the powerful delivery
mechanism of Wi-Fi with mobile applications, of which include connectivity,
mobility of B2C or B2B2C that cuts across consumers and enterprise
models, context-aware ability and M2M collaboration.
Where is Wi-Fi - 02WHITEPAPER Building a Successful Offload Strategy - 05WHITEPAPER
Building a Successful Offload Strategy
The success of mobile data take-off was a victim of its own, eventually
driving data exponentially and leaving the operators in vain to combat its
ailing performance. With smarter pricing strategies in place, Wi-Fi has
served well to offload some of these highly targeted dense data needs.
The main inhibitor of successful Wi-Fi deployments can be attributed to the
ambiguity of service quality and long term returns, whether Wi-Fi will still be
relevant in the LTE space. Many operators with legacy 3GPP systems and
architecture will naturally evolve to LTE-based architecture for the same
reasons of perceived easier integration towards flat IP, consolidating
charging, billing and mediation mechanism, and converged EPC to carry
out core network control. Can Wi-Fi find a space in this environment? There
are mixed reviews, but the response from Tier 1 operators are positive by
complementing the power of macro cellular network with the widely popular
Wi-Fi hotspots that are widely accessible, mainly due to zero-licensing and
high burst data capacity.
Data Offload Study
Competitive pressure and the need for cost savings are determinants of a
successful Wi-Fi strategy. Below are a few questions that entail the
challenges faced by operators.
• Where and when should data-optimized architecture be deployed?
• How to maximize the use of existing infrastructure and benefit from it?
• How would Wi-Fi support and complement macro cell and/or femtocells
and manage multiple access architecture types?
• What is the most cost-effective backhaul architecture?
• When does Wi-Fi offloading approach become more attractive to macro
RAN densification?
It is commonly acknowledged in the industry, Wi-Fi and femtocells provide
for good indoor coverage. However, it is still arguable, whether Wi-Fi or
femtocells should be used purely for data offload purposes. In indoor
coverage, the Wi-Fi proposition brings benefit to both the carrier and the
subscriber since the macro cellular performance is limited by the
Overview - 01WHITEPAPER Building a Successful Offload Strategy - 06WHITEPAPER
penetration losses. In the offload case, it primarily benefits the carrier,
although the subscriber’s data experience becomes more compelling
because of the higher data speeds. Both Wi-Fi and femtocells approach
can help offload indoor traffic. The early focus of Wi-Fi indoor offload has
been based on user deployed, self-managed Wi-Fi. However, there is an
alternative approach that integrates indoor unlicensed radios into an
end-to-end carrier Wi-Fi architecture which is gaining popularity with the
near ubiquitous availability of Wi-Fi in smartphone devices.
Designing Offload
Traffic Model
The busy hour traffic parameter is used to measure the occurrence of heavy
traffic, at a given point of time. The shift of busy hour traffic shows a greater
tendency to be present during late evenings, at home and primarily utilized
indoors over data intensive applications such as video streaming on
smartphones and tablets. Not forgetting, the spike of busy hour also
applies during the day where users are “on-the-go” between workplaces
during mid-day. The busy hour is a key indication of network utilization that
drives carrier cost and determines when to invest in new RAN capacity
upgrade. Typically, when the busy hour threshold is exceeded, the carrier
will add more carriers (multi-carrier) or introduce cell splitting and thus
contributing towards the total cost of ownership; where every byte of data
offloaded via Wi-Fi during the busy hour will have a direct impact on the
reduction of macro network CAPEX and OPEX costs.
Capacity Model
A typical macro cell in an urban area can have hundreds of concurrent
users (depending on varying averages of Mbps/user for a given point in
time) and cell capacity is shared. If one subscriber does not use the
capacity, the underlying cost of operating the capacity can be allocated to
the other subscribers that are actually using it. For example, a 3G carrier
can deliver average throughput per cell of 14.4Mbps. Under non-busy hour
condition, the node B can support up to 14 subscribers at the average
1Mbps per user. Given that busy hour traffic reaches 70% utilization,
the number of active subscribers supported per node B drops to halve.
As more concurrent subscribers consume more capacity, it gets more
expensive for the carrier to provide the extra capacity requirements to all the
users at the same time.
Where is Wi-Fi - 02WHITEPAPER Building a Successful Offload Strategy - 07WHITEPAPER
4Source : Assumes the IEEE 802.11a standard
For a given Wi-Fi cell, the average cell throughput is 11Mbps4. With greater
channel bandwidth of 22MHz and 3 non-overlapping channels, Wi-Fi
achievable throughput can reach up to 33Mbps. The subscribers
supported per Wi-Fi cell is approximately 20 given the same busy hour
utilization. The cost to service the increased capacity demand remains
roughly the same throughout for Wi-Fi since the device cost is already fixed
regardless of whether the subscriber uses it or not and, most often
purchased by the subscriber. In addition, Wi-Fi uses unlicensed spectrum.
Network Cost
The network cost model is useful to estimate the CAPEX and OPEX of a
carrier’s macro cell case by considering capacity estimate like the radio
access base stations, RNC, core network (SGSN and GGSN) and
backhaul. In effect, the total cost per Mbps capacity is the sum of CAPEX
and OPEX for each of the network elements over the busy hour usage.
Given that the cost model considers CAPEX elements are amortized
between 8 to 10 years, depending on the equipment type while Wi-Fi
access points are amortized over a shorter lifecycle of 2-3 years.
For simplicity of study, carrier Wi-Fi implementation is integrated and
therefore CAPEX already accounts for access gateways, security gateways
and aggregation gateways.
The OPEX element includes site rental, power, site maintenance, leasing of
backhaul and data centers applicable to macro cell and to a lesser extent
on Wi-Fi deployment. Other macro network cost elements include
spectrum and cell site leasing of up to 20 years or more. Wi-Fi assumes the
access points are in the range of $60-$150, without site leasing and power
is provided by subscriber and backhaul via the Internet Service Provider
which is more appealing.
When the output of the cost comparison is plotted between macro cell and
Wi-Fi relative to the different user types of bronze, silver and gold, it will
arrive at a point where the clarity of which technologies are better suited to
different traffic demands.
Building a Successful Offload Strategy - 08WHITEPAPER
Trade-Off between Macro Cell Densification and Wi-Fi
In order to quantify the amount of traffic that is traversing over Wi-Fi
networks, carriers use various methods to analyze the traffic usage patterns
of its mobile network and sets a baseline to benchmark additional capacity;
when and how it could be mitigated either by macro sites or Wi-Fi offload.
Wi-Fi Offload Simplified
The coverage percentage of geographical area and density of access point
per square kilometer deployment is critical in the selection criteria of Wi-Fi
offload. The design of coverage and access point density depends on the
density of subscribers and their assumed data consumption. Consumption
models can be profiled to three types for simplicity of study; bronze user
with 0.5MB/month, silver user with 1.5GB/month and gold user with
5GB/month.
Assuming a HSDPA network at 2100 MHz spectrum, typical single carrier
and transmit power of 40W+- for urban deployments5. Based on the
network parameters and planning computations, the capacity for a single
sector HSDPA macro base station is estimated to be 3.6 Mbps and
assumes 70% busy hour utilization. Typically, carriers dimension the
capacity model with an overbooking of 20-30% for busy hour. If the carrier
can no longer sustain with single-carrier, three-sector cell site, it will need to
add a second carrier for additional capacity as required. Also, the carrier
has to consider the trade-off of installing additional capacity with the
incremental cost of installing that particular capacity. Meanwhile, a carrier
Wi-Fi offload would entail the fundamental cost of the access points with
minimal installation costs and zero unlicensed spectrum costs.
Other associated cost of backhaul and core network is assumed integrated
as part of the carrier Wi-Fi and can be adjusted depending on the vendor.
A separate whitepaper, titled “Operators Can Save $14million Yearly
Through Data Offloading” describes the breakdown of CAPEX and OPEX
costs for further reading.
5Note : Penetration loss of industry practice of 15dBi is assumed.
Building a Successful Offload Strategy - 09WHITEPAPER
Wi-Fi Offload Observations
From a cost perspective, Wi-Fi is much more cost effective on a dollar
per Mbps basis than the macro cell. The conventional macro cell
densification increases capacity by packing more cells within the same
area. This approach can be effective, but suffers from diminishing returns
as traffic grows. High-traffic areas in urban centers prove to be
challenging, where deploying and operating a cell site is more expensive
as site leasing can be difficult to secure. And as the density of macro cells
increases, interference become more difficult to manage, with per-sector
throughput declining as a result. A single sector in a macro cell can have
a comparable capacity to a Wi-Fi access point, but coverage is greater,
resulting in lower capacity density. Wi-Fi on the other hand, is limited by
range and the impact of interference is reduced while capacity density is
increased.
Figure 3 : Trade-off Study of Wi-Fi and HSPA RAN Densification
Bronze User0.5MB / month
Silver User1.5MB / month
Gold User5GB / month
Cos
t to
Del
iver
Cov
erag
e
HSPA
Busy hourthreshold
Add Wi-Fi
Add 2nd HSPAcarrier
Add HSPAcell site
Trade-off point for Wi-Fi and HSPA capacity density
Building a Successful Offload Strategy - 10WHITEPAPER
6Note : The Internet point of presence and Internet backbone and international fiber connectivity is not considered in this discussion.
Given the study of capacity in busy hour, there is little impact on the cost to
deliver data to the bronze users, as the demand for capacity is far below the
busy hour threshold shown in Figure 3. The intersecting point where the
macro cell and Wi-Fi begin to show distinct cost savings advantage is clear,
when the busy hour capacity is reached. This effect is more obvious, when
a large number of silver and gold users are introduced into the network.
These are the premium users which carry a higher degree of service level.
The areas of device subsidies and depreciation of assets whether minimal
or otherwise can influence the decision for macro cell densification or Wi-Fi
offloading strategy. Other long term OPEX6 costs such as maintenance, site
leasing and carrier-upgrade can draw the differential cost. The key to
delivering a cost-effective mobile broadband service is to understand when
the trade-off becomes more attractive for an operator to deploy Wi-Fi
offload solution over densification of macro RAN capacity, as well as the
differences between licensed and unlicensed Wi-Fi offload solutions.
Wi-Fi or Femto - 11WHITEPAPER
Wi-Fi or Femto
Which is the best fit for offload? It does not have an absolute approach,
as demonstrated by various carriers. The issue of data offloading must be
assessed from the aspects of suitability, readiness, integration of existing
infrastructure, cost effectiveness, pain points and a host of indirect costs
related to customer expectations, loyalty and brand awareness.
As mobile data congestion become greater, carriers are using all tools
including tiers and caps to survive the low yield data revenues through
bandwidth management. The on-going challenge is not without mixed
results. According to Informa Telecoms and Media market report, there are
more than 2.3 million femtocells deployments in 2011, which is small and
relatively weak in comparison to the 1.3 billion Wi-Fi hotspots globally.
Although femtocells provide benefits to the user in terms of “full bar”
coverage and higher mobile capacity, it typically is dependent on a fixed line
to backhaul. The key advantage for users is it supports existing 3G terminal,
but technical aspects add to the challenges of spectrum, as femtocells are
deployed over the same licensed spectrum of macro networks and can
potentially cause interference.
Wi-Fi on the other hand, specifically addresses the issue of data traffic
offload that represents carriers’ immediate challenge, and highly suited for
indoor coverage. Wi-Fi can be a complementary proposition for mobilizing
broadband. It can help manage cost by offloading traffic, while offering
a cost-effective high-bandwidth service at home as well as in many
heavily-used public locations such as airports, stadiums, cafes, hotels and
so forth. Given the installed base, it is likely that security, voice services
over Wi-Fi, and seamless handover will be added to Wi-Fi to strengthen (all
of these being efforts that are already addressed in some way or another)
offload strategies alongside femtocells. Several key issues that will emerge
from the success of the network are scalability and manageability.
Ultimately, carriers want to create a unique mobile experience that is fluid
between Wi-Fi and 3GPP networks.
7Note : The congestion described in this literature exclude the study of wireless or fiber backhaul connectivity.
8Source : WBA Industry Report 2011 – Informa Telecoms and Media
9Note : Backhaul enhancements study is not included in this publication.
Wi-Fi or Femto - 12WHITEPAPER
Scalability
Wi-Fi has demonstrated its ability to provide cost effectiveness in terms of
the cost per byte deployment. China Mobile, having one of the biggest
subscriber base in the world, has big ambitions to deploy up to 1million10
hotspots by 2014 in its commitment to bring ubiquitous mobile services.
Similarly, the device chain support has reached a maturity level that
provides for improvement to support specifications of EAP-SIM and drive
down the cost by large volumes to make Wi-Fi a de-facto capability. For
most parts, smartphones are designed ideally for Wi-Fi offload.
10Source : WBA Industry Report 2011 – Informa Telecoms and Media
Figure 4 : Wi-Fi Offload Impact on Subscriber Experience SurveySource : Senza Fili
High Positive Impact Low Positive Impact No Impact
Low Negative Impact High Negative Impact
20%
40%
60%
80%
What will be the impact of Wi-Fi offloadon revenues or subscriber experience?
100%
0%
29%
43%
14%
14%
APAC
50%
13%
38%
North AmericaEurope
40%
20%
10%
30%
Res
po
nse
Per
cent
age
Wi-Fi or Femto - 13WHITEPAPER
Standardization
The need for a unified framework to standardize authentication, security,
roaming and inter-working between disparate access networks is
necessary. The Wi-Fi ecosystem is maturing and it is anticipated, their role
in bringing economies of scale by supplanting ubiquity. Data roaming prices
are unattractive for the mass market, and as a result, customers tend to
resist by switching off data roaming and relying on Wi-Fi. In the recent 2012
Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, talks of carrier Wi-Fi was
featured heavily among the industry carriers and analysts. With strong
commitments from Wireless Broadband Alliance through the Next
Generation Hotspot program and Wi-Alliance Hotspot 2.0 initiative
encouraging trials amongst operators, the progressive development of
Wi-Fi will see acceleration of co-operation to a wider ecosystem.
Subscriber Management –Policy Meets Revenue Opportunity
Carriers are seeing the importance of context-awareness to drive better
understanding of user behavior – by combining the traffic management
algorithms and tools behind backend data processing. Real-time policy
control is evolving to pass intelligence from the core network to the network
edge, i.e. to bring device state awareness closer to the type of running
applications. By doing so, carriers can push personalized services to the
users and at the same time delivering the most optimum Wi-Fi operational
capacity. Building intelligence into the system is central to Wi-Fi user
experience. The general view is accepted that a carefully designed Wi-Fi
deployment with granular subscriber management gives more mileage to
extended revenue, as users are willing to pay for service, if the perceived
performance is heightened. Based on a survey by Senza Fili Consulting,
the impact of Wi-Fi offload to subscriber revenue and user experience as
shown in Figure 4 are generally positive.
Greenpacket Mobile Data Offload Solution - 14WHITEPAPER
Greenpacket MobileData Offload Solution
Seamless Data Offload
Greenpacket’s Intouch Seamless Data Offload is a client-based solution
that aims to deliver a simplified and cost-effective offload method across
multiple access networks. It is based on the Data Offload Platform.
The Intouch Seamless Data Offload client can transparently offload
3G~Wi-Fi and continue to push operator services and manage data traffic
effectively. Seamless Data Offload, through Inter-working WLAN (iWLAN)
takes traffic from the mobile operator’s radio access over Wi-Fi by
tunneling through the PDG at the operator’s core network. This fits with
mobile operators’ need to monetize services through the personalization
of services and the application of policy management; something which
can’t be said of other Wi-Fi offload approaches in the market today.
Figure 5 : Intouch Seamless Data Offload
Intouch Seamless Data Offload Client
• 3GPP-WLAN Interworking• Seamless Authentication• Consolidated Charging• Unified Services Access
3rd Party PDG
3rd Party HA
IP Traffic
• Mobile IP
Security for Wi-Fi thesame as securityfor 3G networks
Commonauthenticationarchitecture betweenWi-Fi~3G
Better Wi-Fiexperience
Extend 3GPP servicesand functionality to the WLAN accessenvironment
WLANCellularIPSEC Secured Tunnel
Greenpacket Mobile Data Offload Solution - 15WHITEPAPER
Dynamic Data Offload
Operators are increasingly looking at using Wi-Fi for offload as part of their
mobile broadband strategies. However, it risks losing visibility over traffic
policies that were configured for the user once it routes through Wi-Fi.
What is lacking is a way for the network to communicate to users
(applications and/or websites they are using) a real-time or predicted
measure of the network’s congestion levels. Greenpacket’s Dynamic Data
Offload client is compliant to the defined 3GPP Access Network and
Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF), to enable dynamic network
selection and switching based on various contextual ability such as cell
location, device, peak hours and subscription plan. Operators can also
opt to customize these policies based on application aware policy,
device policy, subscriber policy and time-based policy to trigger data offload.
Figure 6 : Intouch Dynamic Data Offload
2. Receive Policy
No Policy/Prioritized Access/Validity Areas/Time of Day/Discovery Information
3. Apply Policy
APPLY and OVERRIDEDEVICE POLICY
1. Get Policy
Send Location Information(UE Location)
PolicyEnforcer
PolicyEnforcement
Point
SOAP
Intouch Dynamic Data Offload Client (Compliant to ANDSF)
• Device Information• Usage Information• Environment Information
Manage Data Offload Policies in Real Time
Operator PCRF/3rd Party Policy Control
• Congestion Information• Subscriber Profiles• Usage Information …
Less Load onPacket Core
High Quality Experienceto the Subscriber
High Level ofControl to Operatorsto Manage Congestion
Real Time, Preciseand Dynamic OffloadingDecisions
Greenpacket Mobile Data Offload Solution - 16WHITEPAPER
Wi-Fi Experience Management
The Intouch Connectivity Experience for Wi-Fi is based on the
Connectivity Experience Platform suite of solutions, specific to managing
the Wi-Fi experience. It is designed as an intelligent client that can
automatically detect and switch to Operator hotspot, user-defined
hotspot or partner hotspot. The client also supports various connection
policies that allow time-based restrictions and device restrictions.
User experience is made simple and transparent by giving control; when,
how and which Wi-Fi hotspot to access without manual selection of Wi-Fi
SSIDs and configuration. The client supports various authentication
methods such as WISPr, Hotspot 2.0, Next Generation Hotspots (NGH)
as well as secured authentication protocol such as EAP-SIM, EAP-AKA,
EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS on 802.1X networks and thus provides a Wi-Fi
environment in which subscribers can roam automatically with fully
integrated authentication and a standard based approach with minimal
change to existing networks. With advanced Wi-Fi management,
the client can be extended to support advanced features of iWLAN and
ANDSF for operators considering the implementation of 3G~Wi-Fi offloading.
Conclusion - 17WHITEPAPER
Conclusion
The motivation of Wi-Fi offloading is varied and dependent on the use cases
of the carrier’s mobile strategy. One factor that ranks high amongst the
C-level execs would be the return on investment for every dollar that is
spent. Carriers today are faced with a challenging task to protect their
ARPU and battle the changing behavior of tech-savvy users. The appetite
for YouTube, Netflix, Hulu skyrocketed, at the expense of the traditional
carrier’s dumb pipes. The popularization of those platforms is not difficult to
understand given its free-mium value while the carriers were struggling with
licensing rights on their mobile TV offering and expensive charges passed
down to the end-users. Carrier’s now have embarked on a task to bring
value back to their subscribers.
There can be debates on how to achieve greater degree of control
surrounding issues of data offload such as when, how and which should be
the right network at the right location and right time. Wi-Fi offload
approaches should ideally give operators the flexibility to route offload traffic
back to their core network as well as directly to the Internet; Wi-Fi offload
via iWLAN promises greater visibility and management control as part of the
offload process. With many context-aware policy control and charging
solutions in the market today, carriers can integrate Wi-Fi offload through a
closer understanding of the underlying triggers of when, how, where and
what drives data usage. Contextual experience brings together - mobile,
social networks, location, payment and commerce that affects the user
experience in a more meaningful and relevant state of engagement. As in
Greenpacket’s Wi-Fi solutions, the device client supports both
3GPP-based iWLAN and ANDSF specifications.
Ideally, every byte of data offloaded should have a positive impact on the
ROI. The parameters that carriers pay great attention is the costs relevant
to coverage area percentage and capacity to capture the maximum offload
traffic over a given period. The TCO11 consists of varying CAPEX and OPEX
components with dependency of achieving coverage by the density of
access points per square kilometer versus the maximum achievable
savings. The end goal is the direct result of reduction in additional macro
cell by the placement of corresponding access point density over the same
coverage area percentage. However, if the difference in TCO of Wi-Fi
offload savings falls short of macro cell densification, the business case for
offloading will become less useful.
11Note : Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) distribution is approximately 30% CAPEX : 70% OPEX in general industry estimation
Conclusion - 18WHITEPAPER
Additionally, it needs to ensure compatibility and interoperability between
the disparate systems. Roaming is a highly desirable feature for Wi-Fi. With
cellular networks, data roaming charges are unattractive. To prevent
bill-shock and disgruntled service experience, carriers have begun to
implement notification and alerts, so that customers can disable data
roaming. Data roaming, when dealt with the correct approach, can add
value to the subscribers, i.e. making Wi-Fi accessible through roaming
partner by offering discounted services proposition which are more
competitive. Bundling of roaming services with voice, messaging and data
services is a good alternative to keep the customers happy. As a result, the
cost of roaming for the end-user is reduced and they continue to receive the
same level of services they are used to without the frustration. One such
example is the roaming bundle currently offered through Orange France;
daily, weekly or even 30-day basis, available in France, UK, Poland and
other European markets.
Integrating mobile services in the fundamental user experience is important
to create optimized access and services to win them back. Customers view
value in the service experience; regardless of the device, network and
conditions they work in. A number of Wi-Fi providers are already developing
carrier-grade products designed to provide seamless handover from
3G/LTE networks while keeping down the associated network
infrastructure cost and complexity.
Wi-Fi Now, Maximize Investments - 19WHITEPAPER
Wi-Fi Now,Maximize Investments
Greenpacket welcomes you to embark on tailored Wi-Fi solutions for
optimizing your network operations. At Greenpacket, we understand the
demands placed on Operators like you. Our solutions are designed to give
you the flexibility to constantly deliver cutting-edge offerings without
exhausting your capital and operating expenditures.
With Greenpacket, limitless freedom begins now!
Free Consultation
If you would like a free consultation on how you can apply Wi-Fi solutions,
feel free to contact us at [email protected]. Kindly quote the
reference code, SWPS1211-D when you contact us.
References - 20WHITEPAPER
References
1. Gartner “Emerging Technology Analysis: Mobile Business Intelligence
“13 July 2011, ID:G00214124 by Bhavish Sood, Andreas Bitterer,
James Richardson.
2. Gartner “The M2M Market Evolution: Growth Attracts Everyone”
3. Senza Fili Consulting “Technology to drive wireless disruption,
with service monetization mired in uncertainty” by Monica Paolini
4. Wireless 20/20 “Carrier Wi-Fi Offload” by Randall Schwartz and
Magnus Johansson
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