Wi-Fi Hotspots See a Renewed Focus for Offload

Author: Philip Solis, Research Director, Mobile Devices

Published: 01 Mar 2011

Wi-Fi is not going anywhere for a very long time. It is being adapted to new applications constantly – not only so it can maintain its relevance, but also because of demand. MIMO configurations of 802.11n – from no MIMO (1X1) to full 4X4 MIMO – provide flexibility from low cost to high performance. Wi-Fi Direct allows devices without Bluetooth to form direct connections with each other without relying on a Wi-Fi access point. When needed, Bluetooth 3.0 can leverage Wi-Fi to form a faster connection. Several years from now, 802.11ac and 802.11ad / WiGig will provide much faster speeds in the 5 GHz and 60 GHz spectrum, respectively, opening the door to even more applications and further cementing their place in various devices.

The full text of this Insight is available to subscribers of the Femtocell and Small Cell Research Service and the 4G Research Service and the Wireless Connectivity Research Service.

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