Retail News CRM

Tag: wifi

  • WBA identifies connected vehicle use cases

    WBA identifies connected vehicle use cases

    Connected vehicles are not just the technologies of the future – there are significant revenue generation opportunities available today, according to the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA).

    In a new whitepaper, the WBA identified a number of use cases for automobile manufacturers and service providers that are already being used to generate revenues.

    The use cases specifically take advantage of telematics services – which the majority of automobile makers already have built into new vehicles – combined with Wi-Fi connectivity.

    These use cases include applying predictive analytics to information already collected by telematics systems to preempt vehicle recalls, which is an issue that costs the vehicle industry more than $9 billion annually.

    Other examples include predictive maintenance through the use of diagnostic trouble codes uploaded over time, the ability to address software bugs and security vulnerabilities through over-the-air firmware upgrades, and applications including advanced driver assistance or public safety services.

    “The connected vehicle market will experience explosive growth over the next few years, and Wi-Fi plays a significant role in creating key monetization opportunities, while also enhancing and improving vehicle maintenance and driver safety for connected cars,” WBA GM Tiago Rodrigues said.

    “While much of the focus today is given to how 5G will impact connected cars, we want to reinforce the message that Wi-Fi is here now, and it is capable of supporting connected vehicle use cases today.”

    The whitepaper also explores the process of developing use cases for the connected cars of tomorrow combining both cellular and Wi-Fi for seamless connectivity.

    “We are eager to engage with others in the connected vehicle ecosystem to develop future opportunities for Wi-Fi and connected cars, particularly as we prepare for Wi-Fi 6 and the new opportunities it will support,” Rodrigues said.

    Lees ook:

  • Globe extends GoWiFi service to over 2,000 sites

    Globe extends GoWiFi service to over 2,000 sites

    The Philippines’ Globe Telecom has announced it has expanded its GoWiFi public WiFi service to more than 2,000 sites across the country.

    The operator is now providing over 20,000 access points nationwide, up from 15,000 in 2018, and the network is hosting 18 million sessions per month, Globe said.

    During the year, Globe plans to further expand the network to cover more health clinics and hospitals, colleges and universities, and retail establishments.

    The service is also currently available at major transit points including the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), as well as Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) stations.

    Globe provides a free GoWiFi service with a maximum allocation, as well as a paid service than can be used to extend usage beyond the free allocation.

    Both services are available to all users with WiFi-enabled devices and select international numbers, and provide speeds of up to 100Mbps depending on location.

  • Google Duo’s update saves users from overages and throttled data speeds

    Google Duo’s update saves users from overages and throttled data speeds

    Google Duo is the company’s video chatting app that allows users to stream video, make audio-only calls, and send video and voice messages. The app is available for Android and iOS users. As you might imagine, engaging in a video chat uses plenty of data. So Duo users used to be able to toggle on a feature that would limit the amount of mobile data they consumed while employing Duo.

    An update to the app replaces the Limit Mobile Data toggle with Data Saving Mode, which is turned off by default. The new feature works to lower the consumption of both cellular data and Wi-Fi data when Duo is being used. After all, many wireless carriers and home Wi-Fi providers have data caps. Breaching these caps can result in overages or throttled data speeds, two punishments that no Duo user wants to receive.

    To lower mobile and Wi-Fi data consumption, Google drops the quality of a video chat to a lower resolution. Before you decide whether to use Data Saving Mode on a video chat, a preview will show you what the video chat will look like with the feature disabled (again, the default setting) and what it will look like in the lower resolution used when the feature is enabled. With Data Saving Mode toggled on, you won’t be the only one saving mobile and Wi-Fi data. That’s because the party on the other end of the video chat will also be viewing and sending videos in low resolution, helping to lower his/her mobile and Wi-Fi data usage as well.

    This new feature, found on version 51 of Duo, is being sent out via a server-side update. If you’re an impatient sort, you can find this version of the app offered on the Google Play Store.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Philippines taps UNDP to accelerate free Wi-Fi rollout

    Philippines taps UNDP to accelerate free Wi-Fi rollout

    The Philippines’ Department of ICT (DICT) has signed a partnership agreement with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) aimed at fast-tracking the deployment of free Wi-Fi access in public places.

    Under the agreement, the UNDP will provide support for the government’s Pipol Konek – Free Wi-Fi Internet Access in Public Places Project.

    The UNDP will conduct area-based network analysis of target sites, oversee monitoring of project impact, and continue to provide technical training to stakeholders involved in the rollout.

    The UNDP and the DICT will meanwhile jointly take charge of project oversight. The project participants plan to hold workshops and consultative meetings to address the challenges with the rollout and investigate potential solutions.

    The DICT sought the assistance of the UNDP in September last year to expedite the project and aid in the capacity-building initiatives of the companies involved in the rollout. A formal signing ceremony was held last week during the first project board meeting.

    “Today as we set to seal this meeting of minds, the Department is optimistic that our goals of providing free Internet access and promoting knowledge-building among our citizens will soon be realized,” DICT acting secretary Eliseo M Rio Jr said at the signing ceremony.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Change in Android Q could have you using more data

    Change in Android Q could have you using more data

    The Android Developer website contains a statement that notes how “Apps running on Android Q cannot enable or disable Wi-Fi.” This was discovered by Reddit poster xxTheGoDxx. Instead, Google recommends that developers allow users of their apps to turn Wi-Fi on or off by employing the new Android Q feature that shows system settings inside an app.

    The problem with this new functionality is that it won’t let Android Q users rely on an app like Tasker to turn on Wi-Fi when a certain preset condition is met. For example, with Tasker you can arrange for your phone to enable Wi-Fi when you get home or have it turned off when you leave home. With the change coming to the next Android build, users won’t be able to arrange for their phone’s Wi-Fi setting to turn on or off automatically.

    João Dias created Tasker, and he admits that this Android Q function will negatively impact Tasker “in a big way.” Dias is hoping that because this is just the first beta preview for Android Q, Google will be persuaded by feedback and eliminate the new restriction. In addition, using text commands to enable/disable Wi-Fi will no longer work either.

    Last year, Google made a change to Android app permissions that prevented apps from accessing users’ call logs and SMS information unless the app was selected to be the default dialer or SMS client. This was done to make sure that third-party apps could not get the call log and access SMS messages from those with an Android phone.

    Tasker was able to get an exemption from Google for that change, but if the new restrictions for Wi-Fi on Android Q stand, many Tasker users will have to enable/disable Wi-Fi on their phone manually. If they forget to turn on Wi-Fi, there could be some Android users surprised to find out how much data they used during a particular billing cycle.

    Lees ook:

  • Vodafone Fiji to spend $97m to expand 4G coverage

    Vodafone Fiji to spend $97m to expand 4G coverage

    Vodafone Fiji is investing $207 million Fijian dollars ($96.9 million) to expand its LTE-Advanced coverage to around 96% of the population, from the current 60%. The operator has announced plans to expand the coverage of its “4G plus” network to almost all of Vanualevu, Tavueni, Rabi and the Laucala Island. The 5G-ready upgrade will also cover expanding capacity to meet demand for high speed mobile broadband coverage in the uva-Nausori-Lami Corridor, and the Western Division areas.

    The phased rollout program will involve expanding the number of base stations from 390 to more than 600, almost all of which will support LTE-Advanced. In addition, 100 existing 3G base station will be converted to 4G+ and pre-5G base stations.

    Announcing the investment, Vodafone Fiji regional CEO Pradeep Lal said data usage on the company’s network has surged from 10 petabytes to 400 petabytes over the past two years.

    “Globally, for network technology providers like us, the demand for data is driven largely by Internet of Things (IoT) and the need for access to data at any time anywhere,” he said.

    “It has therefore become a business imperative for network technology providers like Vodafone to provide ubiquitous access to data 24/7. Every electronic gadget that now gets produced in the world, comes with the option to be connected to the internet either through a SIM card or WIFI.”

    Fiji’s smartphone penetration has meanwhile grown to 78%, ahead of the global average of 75%, while the number of active connections to the Vodafone Fiji network now exceeds 1 million.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Google Fi, the next carrier?

    Google Fi, the next carrier?

    If you are satisfied with your current phone but would prefer to switch carriers, hybrid MVNO Google Fi has a deal for you. First, some explanation. Google Fi uses two million Wi-Fi hot spots to bring you service. When you are out of Wi-Fi range, your phone checks to see which of the three 4G LTE networks that Fi supports (T-Mobile, Sprint and U.S. Cellular) has the strongest signal at the moment, and connects you to it. Doing this allows Google to keep Fi’s prices down.

    Now, let’s talk about the free month of service that Google Fi is offering to those bringing their compatible phone and number to the MVNO from another wireless provider. The offer is available from now through March 24th, and a list of supported handsets can be found here. You must sign up for a full service plan (not just data) and the phone must remain activated on Fi for 30 consecutive days.

    A week after activating your phone on Fi, you will get an email confirming the credit, which will show up on the following invoice. The credit that Google gives you will cover “a single subscriber’s unlimited talk and text, data usage, and taxes and fees for one month.” The offer is limited to one per person, or six per group plan and requires Google Payments and Google Fi accounts.

    Something else to consider, is that you cannot change your phone while in the aforementioned 30-day period. One Fi subscriber had problems with the Samsung Galaxy phone he moved over to the MVNO and could not dial out about 90% of the time. He bought a Fi compatible LG handset, and while it worked without a hitch, Fi denied him the free month.

    Google Fi costs $20/month for unlimited domestic talk and text for one person ($15 additional for each added subscriber up to a total of six), unlimited international texts, and access to cellular coverage in over 200+ countries. High-speed data costs $10/GB each month, but once you hit 6GB, the rest of the month is free. This means that for an individual, the monthly bill cannot exceed $80 (before taxes and fees) or $205 for a family of four. But there is a catch. Once you consume more than 15GB of data in one month, your data speed is throttled until the next billing cycle begins. Or, you can decide to continue receiving high-speed data by paying $10/GB for any amount of high-speed data you use over 15GB in the same month.

    Lees ook:

  • Cisco announces $5b financing for operators’ 5G transition

    Cisco announces $5b financing for operators’ 5G transition

    Cisco announced that it is planning to fork out $5 billion funding over the next three years to help its customers for network transitions to 5G. Cisco said “the 5G movement is in steep ascent and service providers face significant financing pressures as they prepare for this 5G revolution.”

    Cisco’s recent Mobile VNI Forecast shows that by 2022, the average 5G connection (22 GB/month) will generate nearly three times more traffic on the networks than the average 4G connection (8 GB/month).

    Service providers must expand their networks to support this growth. At the same time, they must invest in new 5G services to stay competitive, the vendor said in a statement. Cisco said it is planning to commit $5 billion in 5G funding via Cisco financing over the next three years to help its customers succeed with their network transitions to 5G.

    Meanwhile, Cisco has also announced a raft of announcements with Asian mobile carriers including Bharti Airtel, KT, Softbank and Rakuten

    Cisco is helping Bharti Airtel to build India’s largest 5G-ready, IP-based automated network. Airtel aims to deliver enhanced subscriber experiences and offer high-speed mobile access for its mobile customers in the country.

    Airtel’s IP-based network architecture will enable new functionality, including segment routing, traffic engineering and Ethernet VPN that helps ensure seamless interoperability and the ability to leverage existing investments in its MPLS-TP network. The automated IP network architecture will also give Airtel the ability to enhance its services to SMBs and enterprises.

    The deal with KT will see Cisco transitioning KT’s network architecture to better manage 5G traffic with advanced routing and automation software, intelligent analytics and machine learning.

    The network includes a 5G routing backbone with Cisco Network Convergence System Router 6000 and ACI on Nexus 9000 switching platform at KT’s distributed data centers in the country.

    In Japan, Cisco is helping SoftBank to deploy Segment Routing IPv6 (SRv6) in its 5G mobile network to help the Japanese telco reduce capex and opex. It is also helping Rakuten Mobile Network to launch the world’s first virtualized, cloud native mobile network by October 2019.

    Cisco is also using the MWC2019 to unveil a host of products and services covering 5G, WiFi 6, smart city and connected cars.

    Lees ook:

  • Broadband Forum releases home Wi-Fi test standard

    Broadband Forum releases home Wi-Fi test standard

    With the rapid development of 4K TV, online gaming and smart homes, statistics from Broadband Forum show that more than 1 billion users now have access to fixed broadband, and Wi-Fi has become an essential part of broadband services provided by operators.

    Operators are increasingly providing service packages featuring Wi-Fi to enhance the home broadband experience of end users. This has created a compelling need to optimize Wi-Fi performance to support end-to-end performance of broadband services, including development of 4K video and VR services, and to minimize operators’ operating and maintenance costs.

    This need is highlighted by Ovum reports, which show that Wi-Fi problems account for 30% to 60% of operators’ broadband complaints.

    Clearly, home Wi-Fi quality is vital to both delivering a high-quality broadband experience and to operators’ operational efficiencies, yet there were no existing unified performance testing standards – until now.

    To address this issue, Broadband Forum announced the release of the first Wi-Fi performance test standard – Technical Report 398 Indoor Wi-Fi Performance Test Standard (TR-398) – during Mobile World Congress 2019.

    TR-398 is the first standard that systematically and quantitatively evaluates home Wi-Fi device performance across six dimensions: receiver sensitivity, throughput, coverage, multi-user support, anti-interference, and stability.

    By defining Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), such as the Wi-Fi equivalent bandwidth (throughput), rate at different distances, and throughput for multiple online users, the standard helps telecom operators and end users select optimal Wi-Fi solutions.

    The TR-398 standard describes the purpose, test scope, conditions, test cases, and standard thresholds for indoor home gateway Wi-Fi performance testing, helping telecom operators efficiently test indoor Wi-Fi performance, develop home networks and video services, and improve home broadband experience.

    From its inception as a project within Broadband Forum, TR-398 has received extensive industry attention. More than 16 operators and equipment vendors have actively participated in and supported the drafting of the standard.

    Many operators around the world are known to be planning to use TR-398 as the Wi-Fi performance admission specification for home broadband customer-premises equipment (CPE).

    According to Broadband Forum CEO Robin Mersh, Wi-Fi is the key infrastructure for broadband Internet access in the connected home and for a high-quality ultra HD video experience.

    “Wi-Fi performance of single gateways must meet service requirements and comply with standards to accelerate industry development,” said Mersh. “The goal of TR-398 is to define carrier-class home Wi-Fi performance. We are delighted that a critical mass of key industry players has participated in crafting this standard and are excited for the role that this standard will play in enabling a superior broadband experience in the connected home of the future.”

    Lees ook:

  • Dialog Axiata launches VoWiFi

    Dialog Axiata launches VoWiFi

    Sri Lanka’s Dialog Axiata has launched what it says is the nation’s first voice over Wi-Fi calling service. The operator’s VoWiFi service does not require a third party app to be installed and allows calls to be received over Wi-Fi as if they were standard incoming calls. Dialog Axiata is offering five Huawei smartphones that support the VoWiFi service, and plans to extend it to other VoWiFi supported handsets from Samsung, Apple and other vendors in the near future.

    “Dialog is committed to delivering the latest in technology and connectivity to all Sri Lankans, and VoWiFi is another key step in offering next generation solutions to our customers,” Dialog Axiata CTO Pradeep De Almeida said.

    “We started this journey by enhancing the infrastructure in our network and migrating to a new state-of-the-art core network. For our customers, this means a better experience through greater agility and flexibility.”

    Lees ook:

  • Small Cell Forum puts orchestration, SON on roadmap

    Small Cell Forum puts orchestration, SON on roadmap

    The work program for the Small Cell Forum for the coming year covers “every aspect of densification,” including policy improvements for siting and spectrum, 5G-enabling technologies and the next iteration of its enterprise action plan, according to SCF. One of the work items focuses on the edge computing landscape, which the forum describes as an excellent example of an area where a common framework will be essential to avoid fragmentation—but one where every operator will deploy differently to support different use cases.

    Indeed, the pushing of intelligence, processing and cloud services to the edge of the network is making the small cell into a “gold mine” by adding many more services to the connectivity, according to SCF. Technologies like ETSI’s Multi-access Edge Computing or the OpenFog initiative, which is now the basis of an IEEE standard, are ways to distribute cloud services widely and bring them close to the users, supported along with radios on small cells equipped with processors or in separate miniservers. The distributed topology reduces latency and backhaul costs and improves responsiveness and QoS for users, the forum notes.

    The forum has been bringing operators, vendors and other stakeholders together as part of “Densification Summits” that it has held in the US, China and India over the past 12 months, discussing how to map clear and cost-effective migration paths to dense, software-driven and automated 5G networks. As such, the forum says it has been able to gather a range of requirements from industry and enterprise as to what future networks should enable.

    Another important task for the forum is developing a full road map for orchestration and SON. “Unsurprisingly, on the eve of commercial 5G, many of the issues which operators highlighted relate to that new standard—for instance, how it will interwork with WiFi, and what a 5G small cell for massive IoT applications should look like,” the SCF stated. “And some of the Forum’s most important 4G technologies will be revisited to plot a 5G migration, including the nFAPI interface for virtualized small cell networks.”

    According to the forum, one of the most important foundations of the new work program is the Enterprise, which is based on a year of in-depth discussions within SCF’s Enterprise Advisory Council. It identifies requirements that are common to all sectors and can be addressed by a unified small cell platform, while also drilling down on the specific variations within individual markets such as hospitality, healthcare and commercial property.

    SCF says it has been increasingly engaged with spectrum regulators and national and municipal authorities to help them understand the benefits of densification and how it can be accelerated by the right rules. Activities in 2018-19 will take this work further, to remove more of the barriers that challenge at-scale deployment.

    Last month, the FCC voted to approve rules aimed at speeding up the deployment of small cells and other 5G network equipment by regulating in part the fees and timelines cities and states can impose on wireless network operators and other wireless players.

    US outdoor small cell antenna shipments increased 84% in 2017, according to a report from EJL Wireless Research. The firm is forecasting that US outdoor small cell antenna shipments will increase by 75% in 2018 due to increasing demand from all four US national mobile operators as well as neutral host operators.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Hong Kong companies see the importance of Wi-Fi

    Hong Kong companies see the importance of Wi-Fi

    “Wi-Fi is critical to deliver multimedia content to a proliferation of connected devices to enable a connected global economy,” said Linda Hui from Ruckus Networks at an early October press conference in Hong Kong.

    “If IT departments need to spend considerable time fixing Wi-Fi issues, this puts severe pressure on the organization to digitally transform, reduce operational costs and hinders their ability to deliver new products, services and revenue models,” said Hui, the firm’s managing director for Hong Kong and Taiwan.

    In the survey of eight Asia-Pacific markets by Ruckus—which was acquired by Arris last year—76% of Hong Kong enterprises said they intend to upgrade their Wi-Fi equipment in the next 12 months. “This is to meet demands for enhanced Wi-Fi security, improve overall user experiences, and provide a stable high-speed connection [that can handle] the rise in multimedia content,” said Ruckus in a statement.

    The firm said “an equipment overhaul is long due in many [Hong Kong] businesses as 35% said they estimated HK$400,000 per year ($51,300) is lost annually due to connectivity issues.

    Survey stats & specs
    This is according to the firm’s first “Asia Pacific State of Wi-Fi Study, which surveyed 1,200 business and IT leaders in Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan to identify Wi-Fi usage trends and expectations.” “Respondents ranged from mid- to large-sized organizations and are in decision-making or implementation roles for IT-related initiatives.”

    “From a corporate perspective, implementing Wi-Fi in the workplace meant better productivity (74%), flexibility (55%), and improved collaboration (44%),” said Ruckus. “Yet over half (51%) had experienced at least six instances of connectivity downtime, and 9% indicated they had over 20 instances in the last twelve months.”

    More importantly, Ruckus said their survey indicates that “half of all businesses said a bad Wi-Fi experience can negatively impact a brand image.”

    Wi-Fi security…rock-solid?
    As usual, security concerns top the list. When rating the current state of Wi-Fi security in their organizations, 47% of Hong Kong firms said it was good or very good—compared to 53% across Asia Pacific. However, 61% also said they only used basic usernames and passwords to provide Wi-Fi access, while 16% indicated they have an open Wi-Fi network with no secure log-in measures.

    The survey also found that Hong Kong businesses suffered losses of HK$37 million ($4.8 million) in total over the past year due to Wi-Fi downtime. Apart from monetary losses, 48% of Hong Kong respondents said their IT departments needed to spend about a week or more each month to manage Wi-Fi or network-related issues.

    “Today, Hong Kong people expect a seamless, reliable and fast Wi-Fi experience and accessibility whether at home, at work, on the move or at a public venue,” said Hui. “When there is a connectivity issue or other disruption to the Wi-Fi experience, this dampens accessibility by throttling the ability to work anywhere, at any time with productivity taking a hit.”

    Wi-Fi wonderland
    Ruckus said the survey demonstrates “how ingrained Wi-Fi has become in Hong Kong society,” as 51 percent of respondents said they carry at least four Wi-Fi enabled devices including smartphones, smart watches, laptops, and tablets.

    But work & home setups are preferred by Hong Kongers. Respondents voiced concerns about the Wi-Fi service offered in public places with 81% saying slow Wi-Fi connection speeds top their list of concerns with connection drops and limited coverage area close behind. Only 17% said they had enjoyed a good or very good experience using public Wi-Fi.

    Lees ook:

  • HKBNES launches free public Wi-Fi at tram shelters

    HKBNES launches free public Wi-Fi at tram shelters

    HKBN Enterprise Solutions (HKBNES) has formally launched a free high-speed public Wi-Fi network on tram shelters across Hong Kong in association with Hong Kong Tramways and Cody Out of Home (Cody OOH).

    The HEREWIFIFREE service provides public free Wi-Fi with unlimited sessions on nine key tram shelters located along the busiest commercial and residential centers on Hong Kong Island.

    HKBN launched a pilot of the new service in May, and usage levels have grown 40% by the end of August. The unlimited usage session enhancement meanwhile launched in June.

    “We are happy to support this high-speed free Wi-Fi service to bring Hong Kongers speedy and convenient online connectivity,” HKBN director Mikron Ng said.

    “Our partnership with Tramways and Cody OOH is another example of how we showcase our win-win-win model in which Tramway passengers, Cody OOH customers and our corporate customers can all benefit.”

    “Hong Kong Tramways is pleased to collaborate with HKBNES and Cody OOH in order to offer innovative services,” added Hong Kong Tramways commercial and corporate affairs manager Antoine Sambin.

    “The high quality and the user-friendly experience of the free Wi-Fi solution are valued by the tram passengers, pedestrians and retail communities in the near vicinity. We aim to keep contributing to a smarter city thanks to our Tram Shelters network.”

    Lees ook:

  • Wi-Fi Alliance introduces new Wi-Fi naming scheme

    Wi-Fi Alliance introduces new Wi-Fi naming scheme

    The Wi-Fi Alliance has introduced a new naming scheme for the various generations of Wi-Fi technology in a bid to reduce confusion among consumers and increase sales of next-generation equipment.

    Through the initiative, devices supporting the upcoming IEEE 802.11ax standard will be labeled as Wi-Fi 6. The naming convention will also be applied retroactively, with 802.11ac Wi-Fi to be renamed Wi-Fi 5 and 802.11n Wi-Fi to be designated as Wi-Fi 4.

    Product vendors will be able to use the Wi-Fi 6 designation to identify the latest generation of Wi-Fi that a device supports, while service providers will be able to identify the capabilities of a Wi-Fi network for their customers.

    In support of the new naming scheme, Wi-Fi Alliance will adopt the generational naming scheme for its certification programs. The Wi-Fi Certified 6 certification program will launch next year.

    “For nearly two decades, Wi-Fi users have had to sort through technical naming conventions to determine if their devices support the latest Wi-Fi,” Wi-Fi Alliance president and CEO Edgar Figueroa said.

    “Wi-Fi Alliance is excited to introduce Wi-Fi 6, and present a new naming scheme to help industry and Wi-Fi users easily understand the Wi-Fi generation supported by their device or connection.”

    The new naming scheme has widespread industry support, with vendors including Intel, Netgear, Qualcomm, Ruckus Networks, Aruba and Boingo Wireless having already issued statements endorsing the new convention.

    Lees ook:

  • Myanmar Net taps Ruckus Networks for carrier-grade Wi-Fi

    Myanmar Net taps Ruckus Networks for carrier-grade Wi-Fi

    Myanmar’s largest pure-play ISP Myanmar Net contracted Ruckus Networks to deploy a carrier-grade Wi-Fi network across all major townships in Yangon and Mandalay.

    Through the deployment, Myanmar Net is offering consumers and businesses internet access at speeds of up to 62Mbps and prices competitive with the mobile operators’ existing data plans.

    Ruckus Networks provided Wi-Fi access points that use its smart antenna system with 180-degree and 120-degee antenna patterns to provide wider coverage and more stable connectivity.

    Allen Miu, CTO of Myanmar Net parent company Frontiir, said the company was facing a number of unique challenges with the deployment, associated with Myanmar’s extreme weather, power fluctuations from the nation’s old and unstable power grid and high population density.

    “Besides AP density, the high population density is also a challenge as we anticipate huge demand for our services due to the very affordable prices we offer. One of the key initial concerns we had was whether Wi-Fi technology could hold up to the growth and demands on our network,” he said.

    “Being the first in Myanmar to deploy a wireless network for the general populace is no easy feat, and we are only able to make this a reality with Ruckus’ engineering expertise and knowledge.”