What makes In-building Cellular coverage so important for 3G and beyond?
What does it all mean?: 2G, 3G etc? This graph and definitions below should clear up this common question, and point out why In-building coverage systems are a very important consideration if the end-user expects to reap full benefits from the technology.
2005 was a landmark year!: 2005 was in many cities the first significant roll-out of 3G (defined below) wireless services by most of the major WSPs (Wireless Service Providers). Mobile handset makers are following by making available an impressive array of handsets with ever increasing speed and flexibility. You can literally keep your PC in your pocket!
The Problem: Unfortunately, along with such great capabilities come a few challenges. Here is one of the big ones. Coverage inside a building that is marginal for voice calls will be unusable for 3G. As data rates increase, so does the mobile device's need to have a good clean signal. The truth is that in many buildings, the signal level will drop by 100 to 1000 times just stepping off the street and into the lobby! Don't be fooled by carrier coverage maps, these maps represent "STREET LEVEL" coverage only and say absolutely nothing about signal inside a building. To enjoy the full benefits of a 3G+ network, many buildings and rural locations will need wireless coverage systems, that's where Proximity comes in.
Why so Important for In-Building: As you can see by the graph, 3G speeds that top the charts at 2MB/s plus only happen in "Enterprise" environments (In-building). This has to do with the physics of radios that move. As a mobile device starts to physically move, as a pedestrian starts to walk, or as a car speeds down the road the maximum data rate that the device will run at is reduced. Well really, this is OK because none of us should be focused on full motion video as we drive down the highway, unless you're in the back seat or have a death wish! Here is the rub though, inside buildings is just where we want, need, and can make full use of high speed 3G networks, except this is exactly were they won't work without help.
Call Proximity First! Proximity Wireless has technical solutions and programs that allow our clients to get great coverage inside their facility for little or no out-of-pocket cost. The key is to call Proximity as soon as you feel you have a problem and let one of our friendly folks explain how. Calling the WSP (carrier) or a cellular phone sales agent will more often than not result in less money being available for your solution...SO CALL PROXIMITY FIRST! Let us make your Enterprise a 3G Hotspot!
Definitions (If you're interested):
1G - First Generation systems for mobile telephony were analog, circuit switched, and carried only voice traffic. The analog phones used in 1G were less secure and prone to interference where the signal was weak. Analog systems include AMPS, NMT and ETACS. - circa 1980's
2G - Second Generation mobile telephony systems uses digital encoding. 2G networks support high bit rate voice, limited data communications and different levels of encryption. 2G networks include GSM, D-AMPS (TDMA) and CDMA. 2G networks can support SMS applications. - circa 1990's
2.5G - Enhanced Second Generation systems, adding features such as packet-switched connection and enhanced data rates. 2.5G networks include EDGE and GPRS. These networks support WAP, MMS, SMS mobile games, and search and directory. - circa 2000
3G - Third Generation mobile systems provide high-speed data transmissions of 144Kbps and higher. 3G supports multimedia applications such as full-motion video, video conferencing and Internet access. - circa 2005
4G - Fourth Generation mobile systems will be IP based, run at 100Mbps while mobile and 1Gbps when fixed (In-building), support next generation applications such as high definition television to the handset, and span fixed and mobile communications. - circa 2012