HetNet News: Wi-Fi takes the load; Vodafone deploys urban small cells

Wi-Fi at the World Cup
Wi-Fi offload is a big part of the game plan for Brazil’s mobile operators during the World Cup. TIM Brasil and OI SA are both working with Aptilo Networks to offload mobile data traffic without losing control of their subscribers. Aptilo calls its solution an AAA+/PCRF+ core because it includes authentication (SIM-based), authorization and accounting as well policy and charging control.
Aptilo is also enabling carrier Wi-Fi services for Linktel, which operates what it claims is the largest independent network of hot spots in Brazil. Mobile operators are already offloading an estimated 40% of data traffic to Wi-Fi, and that trend is expected to accelerate.
Unlocking the value of Wi-Fi for business owners
For venue owners and retailers, Wi-Fi offers the chance to reach out to mobile users with targeted offers. Cloud4Wi is building a business on this opportunity; the company recently relocated from Italy to San Francisco and launched its flagship product at the Bay Area Wi-Fi Offload Summit.
Cloud4Wi Proximity is designed to give business owners a way to leverage the Wi-Fi connectivity they are already offering to customers. They can target offers based on demographics, time of day or even device type. Examples of the types of offers customers can receive include coupons, notices about sale items, and requests for feedback on the customer experience. “Proximity dramatically shortens the feedback cycle, thus delivering business value in real time,” said Cloud4Wi founder Ivan Muccini. Cloud4Wi’s target customers are service providers, systems integrators and vendors. (Watch the RCR Wireless News Insights interview with Cloud4Wi founder Ivan Muccini.)
Vodafone small cell trial: Ericsson is out, but who’s in?
Amsterdam is the site of an ambitious urban small cell deployment by Vodafone. The carrier plans to have 200 public access LTE small cells live in the city by year-end, according to The Mobile Network.
KPN and Colt will provide fiber backhaul for the Vodafone small cells, but the carrier has not said who will supply the radio access nodes. The company said it is still selecting vendors and is already trialing small cells in some parts of Amsterdam. One observer reported that the Vodafone cells look like Alcatel-Lucent’s product. Ericsson supplies LTE equipment for Vodafone’s macro network, but the carrier has said it will use a different vendor for this small cell deployment.
Follow me on Twitter.