Aircel Ltd. is one of more than 30 network operators globally that will trial next generation Wi-Fi hotspot technology before the end of 2012, with a view to commercial deployments in early 2013, according to an announcement by the Wireless Broadband Alliance .
The carrier-grade Wi-Fi access technology being trialed will have been approved under the Wi-Fi Alliance 's Passport program, which certifies devices and access points that enable automatic discovery and connectivity.
Such capabilities are important for mobile operators seeking to offer Wi-Fi access as part of an integrated wireless data services package that also includes 3G or 4G services. The benefits are two-fold: first, an integrated Wi-Fi service can provide an improved quality of in-building data service when the carrier-grade Wi-Fi access points are deployed inside locations such as sports stadia and shopping centers; and second, it can also help to lighten the data traffic load on an operator's licensed spectrum, as 3G and 4G users can connect to the Wi-Fi access points when they are within range instead of maintaining a connection to the mobile radio access network.
Aircel is already experienced in the Wi-Fi world from its local partnerships with the likes of O-Zone Networks Pvt. Ltd. and Tikona Digital Networks Pvt. Ltd. (See Wi-Fi Offload Set to Boom in India.)
The deployment of service provider Wi-Fi equipment as part of small cells strategies is a hot trend among network operators globally, but not one without its operational challenges. (See Small Cell Network Planning Poses Problems and Small Cells Throw Up Big Challenges for Operators.)
Other operators involved in the trials around the world include European giants BT Group plc (NYSE: BT; London: BTA), Deutsche Telekom AG (NYSE: DT), France Telecom SA (NYSE: FTE) and Telefónica SA (NYSE: TEF), AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) in the U.S. and China Mobile Ltd. (NYSE: CHL), KDDI Corp. , KT Corp. , NTT Docomo Inc. (NYSE: DCM) and SoftBank Mobile Corp. in Asia/Pacific.
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