Ericsson
announces strategic partnerships to speed up market take-off
for public WLAN
Ericsson
chooses Agere and Proxim to jointly develop and supply
telecom operators with complete end-to-end solutions for WLAN (Wi-Fi)
access, integrating hot spot access with mobile 2G and 3G networks.
Local access to high-speed
data (called WLAN or Wi-Fi) is an
increasingly important service for users of handheld devices like
laptops and notebook computers.
Ericsson believes that integrating
indoor and Public WLAN "Wi-Fi
hotspots" with mobile 2G and 3G networks is a winning business
concept for the future.
The unique combination of
the three undisputed leaders in
WLAN-technology and mobile systems respectively will ensure that
mobile operators get a leading edge in this fast growing market.
The new partnership brings
new benefits to both operators and
end-users. Ericsson's Mobile Operator WLAN enables operators to
integrate WLAN with their existing 2G and 3G mobile business, reusing
investments made in core infrastructure, subscriber management,
billing and authentication.
"The operators can offer
customers attractive value added service
packages, combining the different features of both WLAN and mobile
technologies, also creating new revenue streams from locally adapted
content," says Torbjörn Nilsson, Senior Vice President, Marketing
&
Strategic Business Development, Ericsson. "And since the solutions
are based on standard mobile phone SIM-card technology, using public
WLAN will be as easy to use as a mobile phone."
>From the end-users point
of view, it allows them to take advantage of
WLANs at hotspots, and roam between cellular and WLAN networks. This
is a part of Ericsson's "Always best connected" concept. It
also
means simpler handling, added security and cost control through
unified billing.
Ericsson will tailor solutions
for different emerging needs of both
fixed line and mobile operators, based on open standards. They will
include all necessary components like 802.11b modules, software and
SIM technology provided by Agere, 802.11 compliant Access Points for
2,4 and 5 GHz bands provided by Proxim, and IETF/3GPP compliant
Authentication Servers provided by Ericsson.
