WIFI: 4g lte spoiler or supporter?

A few days ago, China Mobile accelerated the expansion of TD-LTE experimental network construction process, experimental cities and Ningbo, Chengdu and Fuzhou three cities. In Hangzhou, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, China Mobile is expanding its user experience and scope. Users only need to use smart terminals that support WiFi to experience Changyou 4G network, experience surfing the Internet, HD and 3D video on demand, and video conferences, and enjoy the fast network service.

We also noted that these 4G experiences are generally converted to wi-fi signals by using LTE signals for users to use. Wi-Fi access and applications are mentioned in the new heights in the LTE network.

Due to the free and fast access features, WiFi is not only the main force of the operator's network traffic distribution, but also the main means for users to obtain network data. According to statistics, with the increasing demand for mobile Internet data services, WiFi will become the main way for users to access the network. It is estimated that 2015 of the global data traffic will be connected through WiFi in 50%.

With the maturity of technology and the continuous evolution of standards, WiFi can reach a speed of 1 to 3 Gbps, and the coverage, capacity, penetration, energy consumption, and other aspects are constantly improving. At the same time, the three major operators are deploying WiFI hotspots. For example, while China Mobile is accelerating 4g construction, China Mobile does not forget to increase the intensity of WLAN hotspot deployment. It is planned to deploy 2013 Wi-Fi hotspots nationwide by the end of 1 million.

With the increasing maturity of WiFi, the advantages are becoming more and more prominent: the technology is simple, the threshold is low, and it is easier to implement. With the popularity of Wi-Fi accelerated by operators and WiFi hotspots throughout the city, users prefer to choose WiFi even if WiFi is available. Virtually, WiFi has become a spoiler of LTE popularity.

Can the LTE network handle explosive growth in mobile data volumes? What is the positioning of Wi-Fi in the LTE age?

Bami Bastani, the new CEO of Meru, believes that WiFi and LTE complement each other and are "good brothers ". Wi-Fi and LTE are not completely overlapping technologies. their respective technical features are different, so their positioning is also different. LTE can support high-speed data transmission and solve the access problem in High-Speed Mobile scenarios. However, WLAN is suitable for low-speed access and cannot support high-speed mobile services. However, if users have been using high-data services such as video and online games on LTE Networks, the network capacity limit is easily reached due to limited channels and resources, at this time, the advantages of WiFi shunting will be well reflected. Therefore, Wi-Fi is the most powerful supporter of LTE. Both parties give full play to their respective advantages and cooperate in high-speed access, low-speed and fixed access scenarios to provide users with a better experience.

According to professionals, Wi-Fi has some advantages such as high cost performance and high terminal penetration rate. As an effective supplement to the cellular network, this will not change for a long time, even in the LTE era, wiFi will also effectively distribute the business of the cellular network.

Regardless of the network standard, it is the most important thing to bring a convenient experience to users. WiFi or LTE may also allow mutual collaboration to give full play to their respective network advantages. In the future LTE era, Wi-Fi solutions, network architecture, and related technical standards will also continue to develop to fit the networking modes and Applications of LTE + WiFi in the future. For example, the 5G Wi-Fi chip launched by Broadcom for mobile phones and tablet telegraph supports the LTE network platform, which is also a witness to the prosperous development of LTE and WiFi.