What is Wireless Broadband?

Wireless access is a very hot topic in the market, and it can be confusing because of the different types of wireless services that are available. In Australia today, there are four main types of wireless broadband services: Fixed (including Satellite Broadband), Roaming (including 3G Mobile Broadband), Nomadic, and Hotspots. This gives a wide and differing range of wireless options to choose from, but each has their place and suitability depending on the application. Buyers are advised to do their research carefully.

Fixed Wireless

Fixed Wireless offers broadband network access via an exterior antenna usually mounted on the roof at an end-users site. Antennas require direct line-of-sight to communicate with a network tower, which is in turn connected to a Service Providers core network.

Fixed Wireless can be an ideal alternative to fixed line networks if it is true business grade. Not all fixed wireless is the same. Fixed Wireless can be delivered on low, medium or high-end platforms. Low/medium-end platforms generally suit ADSL type performance. For medium to large size businesses that require high-speed Internet/network access to run mission-critical business applications or services, a high-end platform is essential. Fixed Wireless is cost effective, quick to install and deploy service.

Fixed Wireless networks generally have a Service Level Guarantee and some providers guarantee access speeds as opposed to roaming or nomadic services which generally don’t. As the name implies, Fixed Wireless is a fixed location service that is not mobile. Unaffected by weather, backhoe fibre/copper breakages fixed wireless technology is one of today's most secure and reliable ways to communicate.

Another form of Fixed Wireless is Satellite Broadband, which targets users in locations where broadband access is not available or is limited, such as rural areas. Satellite links have a large propagation delay due to the roughly 23,000-mile distance to the geosynchronous satellites in space. This latency imposes a huge performance penalty on two-way interactive applications, regardless of bandwidth speed. For this reason Satellite is not usually suitable for business broadband applications.

Roaming/Mobile Broadband

Roaming Broadband is a new mobile service offered by Service Providers such as iBurst. It provides DSL-like speeds giving access to the Internet and email using personal devices, such as a laptop computer or PDA while moving about from one place to another within the Service Provider's coverage area.

Roaming Broadband is targeted for personal users that are constantly on the move. There is no guarantee of connection (services come with little or no Service Level Guarantee), access speeds cannot be guaranteed and network coverage is limited. Contention ratios are typically 50:1 and while this type of roaming is able to support static IP it can only be assigned to a fixed location, which means mobility is lost. Excess data charges are generally very high.

3G Mobile Broadband is another type of Roaming Broadband offered by Mobile Telephone Providers, which allows access to the Internet or email via an operators 3G network. Some operators also provide an additional Wireless Hotspot option. This type of service also targets personal users and is best suited for limited Internet or email access as connection speeds are lower than DSL and there is little or no Service Level Guarantee. Data charges are also generally very high.

Nomadic/Portable Broadband

Nomadic Broadband is also new to the Australian market and is offered by Service Providers such as Unwired. Like Roaming Broadband, it offers DSL-like speeds for access to the Internet and email at home generally using a PC or laptop computer.

The service is portable and allows you to move from place to place within a Service Provider's coverage area, however the service cannot handle sending or receiving data while on the move, so you must be stationary to receive access.

Nomadic broadband is primarily a residential service and targets personal users that move location. There is no guarantee of connection (services come with little or no Service Level Guarantee), contracted access speeds cannot be guaranteed and network coverage is limited. Contention ratios are typically 50:1 and unlikely to support static IP, further limiting its business use. Excess data charges are generally very high.

Wireless Hotspots

Wireless Hotspots have been around for a few years now and are provided by Wireless Hotspots Operators such as Azure and Mobile Operators Telstra and Optus. These ‘Hotspots” provide high-speed wireless Internet access from public venues such as hotels, convention centres, airports, cafes or a University campus. You need an account with the Wireless Hotspot Operator and a wireless (WiFi, 802.11b or wLAN) enabled laptop, PDA or phone to access the service. As with Roaming and Nomadic, Wireless Hotspots are targeted towards personal users.

Hotspots have a very limited range; typically 10 to 50 metres and interference can pose a problem in high-density areas where many different users are operating wireless access points. Security of public Hotspots is a major issue! There is concern for corporate users of the ability for someone to steal information transmitted to and from public Hotspot users. Services also have limited or no Service Level Guarantees.