Putting Your Data Network Over Wireless?
Recently, AT&T launched a new wireless broadband product and we had the opportunity to review it. The basic transforming premise in-play is to use wireless as your primary or secondary source for data connectivity, potentially replacing legacy MPLS or other broadband.
Background:
- Companies are starting to utilize wireless connectivity for their enterprise networks, and not only as a back-up failover option.
- Carriers are rolling out new service offerings to target this technology transformation, such as this AT&T’s Wireless Broadband, which was just introduced in February 2018.
- Unlike standard mobile or IoT data plans that contain an allowance of pooled (or non-pooled) data, this product is based on data throughput speeds without any liability of overage charges. For instance, if you needed 3MB throughput at a location for continual data transmission, this service would be more economical than paying for a specific 1GB or 5GB pooled data plan.
Our take:
- Wireless connectivity has advantages over legacy wireline technologies, including rapid deployment for new locations and the elimination of construction build-out costs.
- G2 feels that with the ongoing 5G LTE deployment, the quality and capacity of wireless connectivity will only improve.
- While still not recommended for most mission-critical data network applications, G2 is monitoring this closely and feels the direction is very promising. Initial cautions are that like any new technology, deployment is just beginning so kinks are expected, and wireless does not yet come with meaningful SLA’s or even guaranteed throughput if the network becomes congested. But clearly the landscape is rapidly evolving and smart organizations are either watching closely or deploying slowly by “putting their toe in the water”.
G2 is and will continue to monitor new technologies in the telecom sector.