Not long ago, enterprise organizations largely considered wireless Internet a "last resort" option for parts of the country without viable landline options (DSL, cable, fiber). Nowadays, as we've seen among our clients, it may actually be a viable primary (or secondary/backup) option for Internet service.
Wireless Data Speed (Theoretical)
From the above chart, it is obvious that up until a few years ago wireless Internet was not really a viable option. In addition to congestion issues (described below), the theoretical speeds (let alone real-world speeds) were inferior to land-based options: T1s, DSL and cable.
What a difference a few years make (and the incredible advancement in wireless technology). The theoretical data speed for wireless (4G) has exploded.
Wireless Data Speed (Theoretical*)
***Data speeds in KB
Note that while DSL and modem speeds have also increased due to changes in technology, the improvement with wireless (4G LTE) is quite striking. These are theoretical speeds, under pristine conditions. But what are the real-world speeds? Also, what happens if there are numerous wireless users downloading at the same time you are trying to download a file (i.e., congestion). Wouldn't your real-world speed be degraded and variable?
Congestion (Accessing Carrier's Internet Gateway)
With dedicated landline solutions (T1, DSL, cable modem), there is a physical connection. This provides dedicated access and minimizes the problem with fighting for access to the carrier's Internet gateway.
An analogy of this is access roads to a freeway on-ramp (carrier's Internet gateway). You are driving to the freeway on-ramp and a T1 and DSL line are dedicated lanes that only you can drive. The advantage is that you have a dedicated lane that no one else can use. The disadvantage is that the speed limit is relatively slow (1.5 Mbps to 6 Mbps).
Cable modem access is at a higher speed, but you are sharing this with several members of your neighborhood. This means that there is a larger access road (with multiple lanes), with a higher speed limit (30 Mbps), but it serves many users. If everyone is online, you may suffer a much slower speed from the traffic jam accessing the multiple cable lanes.
Wireless is even more susceptible to these access traffic jams. While there are many more access lanes (more wireless spectrum), you may be competing with hundreds of users.
NOTE – This is focused only on the issues of gaining access to the carrier's Internet gateway. Once you are in (in this analogy, on the freeway), you can also suffer congestion within the carrier's network.
Wireless Data Speed (Real World)
In a recent study of 725,000 data samples in 77 U.S. markets, Root Metrics looked at the performance of AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon in 2012.
For our example, we will look at AT&T results:
Wireless Data Speed (A More Realistic Example)
Too Good to Be True?
At first blush, wireless Internet access appears to be too good to be true - especially if you are using dedicated T1s for access, which will run into hundreds of dollars per month (i.e. $300-$500+). Wireless access usually costs less than $100 and offers higher speeds and performance. So what is the catch?
The difference is how technology changes everything:
Your T1 is like a VCR -- it can only handle so much and there is limited innovation in trying to make this technology better/faster/cheaper. While your T1 may be reliable, you may be paying more than you need to be for less performance that you can achieve with other technology.
Your Real-World Application
The major takeaway is that wireless Internet access may be a viable connectivity option, from various perspectives: pricing, availability, reliability. So how should you start thinking of wireless Internet?
Backup Access - Your branch offices are most likely connected via dedicated circuits (T1s, Bonded T1s, DS3, DSL, cable). As a backup, you may also have a DSL, ISDN or T1 circuit.
Primary Access (and test for Backup Access) - For the same reasons, it may make sense to investigate wireless as your primary access.
Conclusion
In today's hectic, lean and mean, business environment, it is difficult to maintain the status quo. However, at some point it does make sense to take a fresh perspective and find out what is out there and what others are doing. Especially with technology changing at a fast pace, there are opportunities to save money and improve performance.
"SCTC Perspectives" is written by members of the Society of Communications Technology Consultants (SCTC), an international organization of independent information and communication technology (ICT) professionals serving clients in all business sectors and government worldwide.
