Volume 2, Issue 5
An Introduction To Wireless Data Networks
Over the past few months we've talked about wireless security, devices, and real-time connectivity vs. batch processing. Wireless 101 forges ahead this month with an analysis of the most common types of wireless networks.
You don't need to know much about wireless data or wireless networking to benefit from either of them and yet there's still a perception that it's the domain of propeller heads. Luckily, that mode of thinking has long since ceased to affect other aspects of life or else we'd still need to know how to build a plane to fly in one or raise a steer to eat a burger.
So what do you need to know to use desktop applications on your mobile device? That's easy: the power button is the one with the circle and the little line. Oh, and the size of your screen matters less than you think. We want you to know more than the bare minimum, though. This is wireless boot camp and we're preparing you to be water cooler savants.
Here's what it takes:
Q: What are the most common wireless data networks?
A: In the United States, the predominant wide area wireless network has been CDPD, or "Cellular Digital Packet Data". It is a packet-switched (vs. circuit-switched) protocol that can transmit data at rates of up to 19.2 Kbps. TDMA, or "Time Division Multiple Access", is a CDMA competitor and has also been popular in the US. In Europe, the predominant network is GPRS, or "General Packet Radio Service". It also is packet-switched but it can support data rates of up to 56 Kbps. Increasingly, US carriers are building out GSM networks to replace slower CDPD networks. Most carrier data networks support one of these three protocols but other types exist as well like Nextel's iDen or Cingular's Interactive network.
Q: What is 3G and why does everyone talk about it like it's the holy grail?
A: First generation, or analog, networks supported the first cell phones. Remember those power-hungry bricks? You should, they were cutting-edge technology little more than ten years ago. Second generation, or digital, networks have been the norm for the past decade. GPRS is a 2.5G technology. Third generation networks provider significantly faster data transfer rates and better error detection plus they offer always-on connections and improved facilities for billing.
Broadband on your phone? Real-time video streaming? That's 3G. Trials began in Japan in 2001. 3G networks are now publicly available in Europe and Asia but have not yet crossed the pond except in limited trials. There are several different 3G technology standards. The most prevalent is UMTS, which is based on WCDMA. The other major standard is CDMA2000, an offshoot of 2G CDMA technology.
Q: What about wi-fi?
A: Wi-Fi, or "wireless fidelity", is the name given to IEEE 802.11x wireless high-frequency local area networks (WLANs). The specification was first published by the IEEE in 1997. Typical Wi-Fi networks extend to a range of about 150 feet (46 m) indoors and 300 feet (92 m) outdoors. Your coverage is dependent on a variety of factors including the type of 802.11 protocol you're using (A has about half the range of B or G) and the interferences that separate your device from your access point. Wi-Fi mesh networks can be configured to cover significantly greater areas.
In the year ahead, you'll be hearing much more about Wi-Max, or 802.16, in large part because Intel is investing heavily to promote new Wi-Max chips. Wi-Max, or metropolitan-area, networks support ranges of up to 31 miles.
Aeroprise Index of Wireless Activity
For the first time since inception, IOWA dipped significantly this month to finish down 11.5% at 163.56. It was primarily weighed down by sagging stock prices during a month when the overall markets retreated as well - the NASDAQ was down 5.9% and the DJIA was down 2.5%. RIM's mid-May annual Wireless Enterprise Symposium generated many new articles and press releases but that did little to offset the impact rising fuel prices and the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal had on investor confidence.
Upcoming Events
Remedy User Group 2004
Washington, D.C.
July 26-30, 2004
Industry Buzz
eWeek: Wireless Enterprise Symposium Wrap-Up
Palm Sees Uptick in Development of Mobile Enterprise Applications
Tip of the Month: Network-Dependent Alerts
Did you know that your Aeroprise alerts are delivered based on the wireless network and carrier you use? Different networks support different alert types. For instance, most carriers in the US support WAP alerts but many international carriers only support SMS or MMS alerts.
When you log into Aeroprise from your mobile device information about its capabilities and the capabilities of your network are automatically detected. That way, when you receive an alert you get just the information you need tailored to where you are and what device you're using. Go into the 'Device Profiles' report in your Administration Console to view profiles for all of the devices and alert types in use on your Aeroprise server.
Trivia Question: Mobile Market Poised For Growth
Question: The market for hardware, software, and services to support desktop to mobile communication is currently $9.3B. According to the Wireless Data Research Group, what compound annual growth rate will that market experience through 2008?
(a) 9% (b) 18% (c) 27% (d) 35%
source: Wireless Data Research Group
[answer in next month's newsletter]
Last month's question: Relative to ordinary PDAs, how many smartphones (phones with PDA functionality) do analysts expect will be sold in 2004?
(a) Twice as many (b) Half as many (c) One-third as many (d) Five times as many
Last month's answer: According to IDC, (a) twice as many smartphones will be sold this year as data-only PDAs.
Resources
Aeroprise Newsletter Archives
Aeroprise Newsletter Signup
Mobilizing Your Applications: A Primer
Aeroprise online demo
Aeroprise customer case study
Aeroprise Partner Portal
Questions
o: +1(866)809-9102
f: +1(650)404-1185
information@aeroprise.com
If you'd prefer not to receive future Aeroprise updates please click here. We never share subscriber information with anyone.
|
|