Extreme Networks sees widespread Wi-Fi changes, increased analytics and more IoT in 2016
Editor’s Note: With 2016 now upon us, RCR Wireless News has gathered predictions from leading industry analysts and executives on what they expect to see in the new year.
In today’s ultra-connected world, wireless radios form an invisible bridge between devices, things and people. As wireless technology continues to evolve, connectivity is being offered and accessed in more efficient ways. Now, our wireless-enabled devices serve a variety of purposes – from finding the best in-store discounts to locating the fastest route to the game and even monitoring vital signs. Due to increased network demands driven by mobility, smart devices and the rapidly expanding “Internet of Things,” wireless services have penetrated more locations and industries to meet the growing desire for connectivity anywhere, any time.
Over the next year, wireless technology has the opportunity to provide faster and more reliable connections and also increase efficiency while reducing costs. So, what does wireless promise in 2016? Here are five predictions of what wireless advancements will come to fruition in the new year.
Accelerated adoption of 802.11ac Wave 2
802.11ac Wave 2 technology is the new Wi-Fi standard with ability to support higher speeds, provide enhanced control of activity in the network, and most importantly the ability to offer additional capacity for high-density environments – the main driver of Wave 2 adoption in 2016. Addressing and supporting high-density environments is a top concern for CIOs and IT due to the diverse and rapidly increasing number of users, devices and applications. Because of this challenge, 802.11ac Wave 2 will be a priority investment for enterprises looking to ensure all devices and IoT things within a facility are supported with a modern wireless infrastructure.
Wi-Fi makes phone calls
In 2016, Wi-Fi calling will become commonplace, as many cellular voice calls will instead be made via the Wi-Fi network. In recent years, traditional carriers have been shifting data off cell networks and onto Wi-Fi networks in order to free up and increase cellular bandwidth. Facing pressure from alternative voice solutions that leverage IP data for transmission, carriers are now compelled to offer Wi-Fi calling to align with the trend. As a result, end-users are expecting carrier-grade call quality when using Wi-Fi, placing increased pressure on companies designing and deploying Wi-Fi networks. This is a trend to pay close attention to, especially when designing your new 802.11ac Wi-Fi network leveraging the 5 GHz frequency band. If you’re in the market for new Wi-Fi infrastructure, ask your preferred vendor if they’ve completed the Wi-Fi Alliance Voice Enterprise Certification to assure support for Wi-Fi calling.
How unlicensed LTE will affect 5 GHz spectrum
2016 may bring bad news for the soon-to-be frequency sparse 5 GHz band. As network traffic increases due to the demand for mobile connectivity, the concept of transitioning LTE traffic from licensed to unlicensed frequencies in 2015 has become compelling to carriers. Many providers have leveraged Hotspot 2.0 features in enterprise Wi-Fi infrastructures to transition traffic between networks, yet the promise of unlicensed LTE has intrigued many to consider indoor small cells. For carriers, accessing the unlicensed spectrum via LTE-U/LAA protocols is deemed attractive and more affordable compared to building out macro level cellular networks that require licensed spectrum. Further, the promise of unlicensed LTE will bring emergence of a new class of data-only service providers with compelling consumer offerings. As we enter the new year, it will be interesting to see the impact unlicensed LTE has on the industry as a whole, while learning if LTE-U/LAA impacts Wi-Fi operations in the 5 GHz band.
Analytics and engagement platforms go mainstream
Analytic and engagement platform adoption has made significant headway in the retail and hospitality industries, helping enterprises gather critical insights into wireless activity to deliver better experiences. In 2015, many of these platforms were used by the retail sector to better understand shoppers’ tendencies on mobile while in-store. Wi-Fi analytics have helped retailers distinguish what time of the day and where within a store shoppers are accessing the network, giving them the ability to take action and engage shoppers directly. In 2016, many of these concepts and technologies will emerge in less progressive industries such as education and healthcare in an effort to gain loyalty and retention of their given constituents. Student recruitment and retention in education, and the patient experience in healthcare are top of mind for CIOs driving their strategies and need for new technology advancements. Analytics and engagement platforms will provide newfound visibility that assures excellent experiences can be delivered across every vertical.
IoT emergence into the enterprise
In 2016, sensors and machines will enter the enterprise, as IoT is integrated into the business model. Utility companies were early adopters leveraging IoT’s capabilities to retrieve information on resources being used through wireless data transfer. With IoT transforming the traditional enterprise into digital business, every company will realize potential efficiencies gained through machine driven insight. A simple example: Enterprises can soon measure how many people are occupying a conference room at one given time or how hot a room is and if the temperature should be automatically adjusted. This will ultimately reduce costs and improve people’s experiences in their daily lives – you can imagine how many endless possibilities there are for IoT to make an impact on enterprises all around the world.
From Wave 2 to unlicensed LTE to Wi-Fi calling, it’s clear that wireless will have a significant impact on people, both in their personal and professional lives. Wireless is expected to make important strides in 2016 and I’m looking forward to seeing how wireless advancements will continue to shape the way our industry improves processes, experiences and ultimately, keeps us all connected in the foreseeable future.
