[OPLIN 4cast] OPLIN 4cast #338: Real-time traffic steering

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OPLIN 4Cast

OPLIN 4cast #338: Real-time traffic steering
June 12th, 2013

ship wheelAfter reading the title of this post, you might jump to the 
conclusion that someone has finally created technology to effectively 
control rush-hour traffic. Sorry, but (so far as we know) that hasn't 
happened yet. No, this post is about continuously steering wireless 
Internet traffic back and forth between Wi-Fi and cellular networks. If 
things work out as expected, someday we may no longer make any 
distinction between cellular and Wi-Fi networks, but instead talk about 
"heterogeneous networks" (HetNets). Nobody seems to know what this will 
mean for current Wi-Fi hotspots.

  * Real-time traffic steering that moves cellular to Wi-Fi networks in
    the works for mobile users
    <http://www.techhive.com/article/2040329/network-builders-tackling-cell-vs-wifi-choices.html>
    (TechHive/Stephen Lawson) "Software now in the works will use
    real-time knowledge about network conditions to make lightning-fast
    decisions about the best system for each user to be on at a given
    moment. The idea is that just because there's a Wi-Fi network
    nearby, doesn't necessarily mean your smartphone should start using
    it. If every subscriber near that hotspot got switched over to it,
    the Wi-Fi experience could suffer."
  * Interview: Ericsson CEO on the rise of the HetNet
    <http://gigaom.com/2012/04/25/what-is-hetnet-ericsson-vestberg/>
    (GigaOM/Kevin Fitchard) "HetNets have three major components. The
    first is an umbrella - or macro - network designed to provide
    ubiquitous mobile broadband coverage. The second is a dense network
    of small cells that supply enormous quantities of bandwidth in the
    high-traffic areas its most needed. The final component is a network
    intelligence that ties those networks together."
  * Ericsson, NSN focus spotlight on Wi-Fi traffic steering
    <http://www.fiercebroadbandwireless.com/story/ericsson-nsn-focus-spotlight-wi-fi-traffic-steering/2013-05-22>
    (FierceWireless/Tammy Parker) "The company said its real-time
    traffic steering feature is a software upgrade that constantly
    assesses key performance indicators in both the mobile 3GPP network
    and the Wi-Fi network before shifting a user's smartphone connection
    between networks."
  * Nokia Siemens, Ericsson look to ease WiFi offloading of mobile
    traffic
    <http://www.eweek.com/networking/nokia-siemens-ericsson-look-to-ease-wifi-offloading-of-mobile-traffic/>
    (eWeek/Jeffrey Burt) "The goal is to create better heterogeneous
    wireless networks that give users a consistent experience as they
    seamlessly shift from 3G and 4G networks to WiFi. Mobile devices
    often will shift from broadband to WiFi when an authorized hotspot
    is available, which helps lessen the amount of traffic on already
    congested broadband networks and lowers the costs for mobile device
    users."

*/Cost fact:/*

Cellular carriers (AT&T, Verizon, etc.) already operate their own Wi-Fi 
hotspots in congested areas and simply "offload 
<http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/wi-fi-offloading-morphs-integration-operators-strive-more-control/2013-05-22>" 
some cellular traffic to Wi-Fi, because the cost of operating Wi-Fi 
hotspots can be less than half the cost of cellular access points.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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