The three states of broadbandgrade broadband connections has propelledforward at a staggering rate. <strong>As</strong> a result,application of productivity-enhancing <strong>so</strong>lutionsto virtually every business function imaginableis now <strong>so</strong> commonplace as to hardly meritmention. It’s worth reminding ourselves,however, of <strong>the</strong> sheer scale and pervasivenessthat accounting, HR, CRM and o<strong>the</strong>r missioncriticalapplications have attained in enterprisesthanks in large measure to fixed broadband.This compels serious consideration of whatchanges are in store as ‘everything-<strong>wireless</strong>’broadband assumes <strong>the</strong> fluidity of its mobilestate and <strong>the</strong> even more profound ubiquity ofits dispersed state, especially in <strong>the</strong> emergingMachine-to-Machine (M2M) world.The mobile effect of fluid broadbandThe strategic and tactical advantages of mobilityrepresent a second major step in broadbanddeployment that is well underway, with <strong>so</strong>aringadoption rates for broadband-based mobileapplications. By arming sales forces ando<strong>the</strong>rs in <strong>the</strong> field with smart devices, we haveextended <strong>the</strong> central database and corporateapplications beyond <strong>the</strong> office to virtually anycustomer touchpoint. By coupling broadbandwith GPS, we have seen a mini-revolution in<strong>the</strong> way companies track assets and people.There are two pivotal points worthy ofemphasizing about this rapidly advancing stageof <strong>the</strong> everything-<strong>wireless</strong> broadband evolution.First, mobile fluidity has spawned a growingvariety of specialized <strong>so</strong>lutions to support mobilecomputing, nomadic <strong>workforce</strong>s and fleetmanagement. By introducing an unprecedentedlevel of speed and flexibility in how assetsand people can be deployed and re-deployedgeographically, mobile broadband enablesenterprises to innovate as never before - not merelyallowing field as<strong>so</strong>ciates to carry office functionswith <strong>the</strong>m, but discovering and implementingcapabilities that were once unfeasible.To site a well-proven example, no industryhas explored advanced mobile applicationsmore thoroughly than <strong>the</strong> transportation sector.Trucking companies and o<strong>the</strong>rs operating largefleets are using mobile to remotely monitor <strong>the</strong>location, speed, performance and maintenancestatus of vehicles. At <strong>the</strong> same time, mobiletechnology can enable continuous tracking ofindividual cargo items, with all that impliesin <strong>the</strong> way of efficiency, on-time delivery andcustomer satisfaction. Such levels of real-timemanagement were simply not possible beforemobile broadband.Secondly, <strong>the</strong> benefits of mobile fluidity flowstraight to <strong>the</strong> bottom line.Whatever <strong>the</strong> particular industry application,mobile broadband is becoming a key factor ineliminating many costs by speeding <strong>the</strong> flowof information, cutting travel time, reducingfuel consumption and enabling <strong>the</strong> automationof processes that formerly involved paperintensiveworkflow.Advantages like <strong>the</strong>se will only become morepronounced as devices become faster, moreversatile and more numerous. And it is thisvery expansion of <strong>the</strong> universe of broadbanddevices and applications that is now taking usinto a much wider space where <strong>the</strong> everything<strong>wireless</strong>world can be fully actualized.The transformative effect of dispersedbroadbandIn fact, we are already experiencing a rapidsurge into <strong>the</strong> next stage of broadband - what Icall fully integrated, dispersed broadband.Although dispersed broadband involves manyfactors, its leading edge is arguably machine-tomachinecommunication. M2M is inherentlycomplex, but it’s based on a straightforwardpremise: a variety of ingenious - <strong>so</strong>metimestransformative - uses can be created by usingbroadband to connect a vast array of devices asdiverse as smart meters, signboards, high-definitioncameras, remote sen<strong>so</strong>rs, laptops and appliances.Such a flexible and dispersed M2M-drivenenvironment offers enterprises scalable,automated systems composed of widelydisseminated devices that communicatedirectly with each o<strong>the</strong>r. Business managerscan use <strong>the</strong>se systems as a strategic tool fortaking performance to ano<strong>the</strong>r level. And<strong>the</strong> more thoroughly broadband applicationsdiffuse into <strong>the</strong> business environment, <strong>the</strong> moreimpressive <strong>the</strong> return can be in terms of savings,operational efficiency, positive customerinteractions and, most significantly, innovativeproducts and services.The evidence for this phenomenon is growingquickly in several sectors now taking <strong>the</strong> lead inM2M and related applications:• Utilities are generating greateroperational control and efficiencies bydeploying SmartGrid <strong>so</strong>lutions wherethousands of smart metres are <strong>wireless</strong>lyconnected into real-time automatedmetre-reading infrastructures.• Insurance companies are helpingcustomers get more competitivepremiums through connected in-vehicledevices. Insurers can <strong>wireless</strong>ly receivesecure information on a per<strong>so</strong>n’s drivinghabits, <strong>the</strong>n reward safe drivers whilereturning benefits to <strong>the</strong> companythrough better underwriting and claimsreductions.• Public safety agencies are protectingcitizens by more closely monitoringhazardous conditions and potentiallydangerous offenders. For instance, policecan use 4G speed to receive images fromhigh-re<strong>so</strong>lution cameras in high-crimeareas, and better identify offenders whilelowering response times.• Retailers are showing customers <strong>the</strong>irmost up-to-<strong>the</strong>-minute offerings withdigital signage. Store managers cancultivate customer relationships withoutdoor or indoor electronic signsfeaturing continuous updates on product<strong>so</strong>r special offers.• Medical providers are engagingbroadband to change <strong>the</strong> healthcareparadigm. Applications includesmartphone-equipped mobile healthprofessionals with instant, secure accessto medical images and vital signs.Looking ahead, 4G speeds could enablereal-time virtual collaboration acrossstates or streaming live video from anambulance to <strong>the</strong> hospital.• Manufacturers are exploring a widespectrum of CRM, SCM and PLM<strong>so</strong>lutions opened by dispersed broadband.These include <strong>so</strong>phisticated applicationsacross <strong>the</strong> gamut of handheld computing,building automation, remote diagnostics,asset management and cloud computing.This is only a sampling of dispersedbroadband’s role in satisfying <strong>the</strong> enterprisethirst for productivity, innovation and anaccelerated return on investment. The keyquestion, of course, is how to implementeffective and affordable <strong>so</strong>lutions. A fewbroadband carriers have mobilized re<strong>so</strong>urcesand expertise to meet that need. In <strong>the</strong> case ofSprint, this encompasses every critical aspect ofan effective collaborative partnership: an openand expanding ecosystem of M2M partners,network agnostic capabilities that include 4G,a long-standing open approach to applicationsand devices, and Internet Protocol (IP)-basedconvergence infrastructure to support mobileintegration and unified communications.Enterprises can look forward to <strong>the</strong> continuedexpansion of broadband in all its forms for <strong>the</strong>foreseeable future, secure in <strong>the</strong> knowledge that<strong>the</strong> opportunity and support is <strong>the</strong>re to fully reapits benefits in <strong>the</strong> everything-<strong>wireless</strong> world. •16 • North America 2010
Mobile The payment Mobile 4G LTE systemsaccess futureMoving towards a <strong>wireless</strong> future with 4G LTEby Kenneth Wirth, President, 4G/LTE Wireless Networks, Alcatel-LucentMobile user behaviour has changed dramatically in <strong>the</strong> past few years and with <strong>the</strong> adoptionof 4G LTE, mobile communications is set to provide users with an enriched <strong>wireless</strong>experience, bringing it closer to <strong>the</strong> wired broadband experience. 4G LTE unlocks newbusiness models for service providers and enterprise/business users. Thanks to innovationsin technology, in networks, in applications and in <strong>the</strong> device ecosystem, a revolutionarytransformation to our lifestyle is about to happen.Ken Wirth is President, 4G/LTE Wireless Networks at Alcatel-Lucent and is responsible for end-to-end LTE <strong>so</strong>lutions. Prior to thisappointment, he was <strong>the</strong> Customer Unit leader for a major US Carrier. Previously, Mr Wirth was President of Lucent’s MultimediaNetwork Solutions organization and held various management, marketing and sales assignments at AT&T and Lucent.Ken Wirth is a graduate of Seton Hall University, New Jersey.The convergence of economic andtechnological factors is driving <strong>the</strong>proliferation of a wide range of <strong>wireless</strong>devices from <strong>so</strong>phisticated smartphonesto broadband-enabled laptops, which iswhetting people’s appetites for broadbandservices outside of <strong>the</strong> typical home oroffice environment. Increasingly, peoplewant to be connected wherever <strong>the</strong>y are, atany given time. Additionally, with recent,dramatic reductions in <strong>the</strong> cost of devicesfor basic connectivity - see <strong>the</strong> succes<strong>so</strong>f USB dongles - <strong>the</strong> world is poised formassive adoption of mobile broadband.Just think about <strong>the</strong> 6.5 billion applicationsthat have been downloaded on just oneoperating system from Apple’s app storeand consider that <strong>the</strong> Android operatingsystem (launched recently by Google) iswitnessing similar growth.At <strong>the</strong> same time, <strong>wireless</strong> networks havecome a long way since <strong>the</strong>ir introduction toconsumers two decades ago. Two key factorsessentially contributed to this evolution.First, <strong>the</strong> move from analogue to digital inmajor parts of a radio network (such as radioaccess and core network) that has dramaticallyimproved cellular network performanceand capabilities, and second, <strong>the</strong> continuou<strong>so</strong>ptimization of <strong>the</strong> usage of precious radiore<strong>so</strong>urces, enabling more and more data to betransmitted over <strong>the</strong> air.Consumers are excited by faster speeds and <strong>the</strong>ability to remain broadband connected whenon-<strong>the</strong>-go. Findings from recent Europeanresearch indicate Live Messaging, NextGeneration Music and Enhanced Mobile Videoare <strong>the</strong> top three applications consumers wouldlove to get permanent access to. Businessesal<strong>so</strong> see <strong>the</strong> value of <strong>wireless</strong> multimedia forincreased efficiency in business processes.Both market segments have different driversfor <strong>wireless</strong> broadband adoption. However,<strong>the</strong>y both expect to increase <strong>the</strong>ir use of mobileonline data activities as <strong>the</strong>y see <strong>the</strong> benefit ofnew, high-value applications such as MobileCollaboration or in-car connected services.An extensive study conducted in severaldeveloped countries was reviewed by <strong>the</strong> BellLabs Business Modeling team. It confirmedthat consumers and businesses are ready for 4GLTE applications and <strong>the</strong> interest in new LTEoptimizedapplications could be translated intoa significant market opportunity for serviceproviders. Participants ranged in age from 14to 65 and used both mobile and broadbandservices. Enterprise respondents includeddecision makers in small, medium, and largecompanies responsible for <strong>the</strong> purchase,implementation, and deployment of employeeNorth America 2010 • 17
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