TALKING BUSINESS
new spectrum sharing options outside of
the traditional licensed and unlicensed
models are emerging, exemplified by the
new coordinated shared spectrum 3.5
GHz model, called Citizens Broadband
Radio Service (CBRS), adopted by the
Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) in the U.S. Ultimately, the biggest
driver is the need to ensure consistent
coverage and quality-of-experience for
mobile users regardless of the underlying
wireless technology.
While enterprises have largely
adopted Wi-Fi for in-building wireless
data connectivity, they also need
to provide employees and visitors
ubiquitous cellular coverage for voice,
e-911 and LTE-data. The widespread
outside-in approach to in-building
cellular connectivity is increasingly
challenged by new building materials
that weaken wireless signals,
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undependable macro reach to high
floors and spotty connectivity due to
street-level shadowing.
Enterprises and service providers are seeking
in-building cellular solutions that are easy
to deploy and provide an attractive total
cost of ownership (TCO) while improving
coverage and performance. Furthermore,
enterprises need a simple solution that
can support subscribers of different mobile
networks. While distributed antenna
systems (DAS) and traditional small cells
can address some of these issues, their
economics and deployment complexity
limit their application.
It is our view that Ruckus OpenG technology
offers a significantly less expensive,
easier-to-deploy, mobile network-neutral
alternative. I think that OpenG technology
will be ideal for fixed and mobile service
providers to offer managed services to
businesses while improving their customers’
cellular service experience everywhere,
even deep inside buildings where mobile
operators previously were unable to reach
due to access and economics. In the final
analysis, Ruckus OpenG technology will
provide a disruptive TCO scenario, making
it ripe for adoption on a global scale at a
fraction of the cost of DAS.
What’s next? Ruckus and other industry
leaders will continue to work to develop
CBRS solutions and further build out the
3.5 GHz ecosystem. For instance, the
companies are participating in the Wireless
Innovation Forum’s efforts to develop and
drive the adoption of standards around the
unique aspects of operation in the CBRS
band, which include providing an interface
to the central spectrum coordination
systems, actively protecting Federal
operations, and managing the coexistence
among those sharing the band.
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