Hotspot 2.0, ANDSF, Next Generation Hotspots

Research Analysis

Wi-Fi, distrusted by mobile network operators until now, is making a comeback as an offload mechanism for congested mobile networks with the Wi-Fi Alliance, the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA), and the GSM Association (GSMA) pushing for standard specifications like Hotspot 2.0 and NGH specifically tailored for carrier integrated Wi-Fi, allowing carriers to treat Wi-Fi as an integral part of their current network footprint. By making ANDSF, which is a 3GPP standard, an intrinsic part of NGH, the GSMA and WBA are creating a framework which will transform Wi-Fi’s role in cellular networks.

The vendor marketplace is getting interesting with both traditional Wi-Fi vendors and non-traditional ones vying for marketshare. Wi-Fi vendors like Cisco, BelAir, and Ruckus have introduced products targeted at mobile operators, and mobile infrastructure vendors like Ericsson, Alcatel-Lucent, and Nokia Siemens have introduced network integrated Wi-Fi gateway solutions and other core network policy management products, making it easier for their operator customers to integrate Wi-Fi. Marketshares will fluctuate as these competitive dynamics play out over the next few years.

This report examines the current status, industry highlights, implementation challenges, and competitive dynamics of carrier Wi-Fi.

Table of Contents

  • 1. CARRIER WI-FI PROMISES TO RELIEVE RAN CONGESTION
  • 2. EXT GENERATION HOTSPOT/HOTSPOT 2.0 AND ANDSF
    • 2.1. NGH & Hotspot 2.0
    • 2.2. ANDSF
    • 2.3. Deployment Challenges/Business Models
    • 2.4. Carrier Wi-Fi Business Models
    • 2.5. Challenges
  • 3. COMPETITIVE DYNAMICS
    • 3.1. Early Winners
      • 3.1.1. RUCKUS
      • 3.1.2. CISCO
      • 3.1.3. ERICSSON
    • 3.2. Challengers
      • 3.2.1. ALCATEL-LUCENT
      • 3.2.2. NOKIA SIEMENS NETWORKS
    • 3.3. Watch This Space

Tables

  1. Carrier Wi-Fi Access Point Revenue Forecast, by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2012 to 2017
  2. Carrier Wi-Fi Access Point Revenue Share by Vendor, World Market, 2011

Charts

  1. Mobile Network Data Traffic per Subscriber, World Market, Forecast: 2012 to 2017
  2. Carrier Wi-Fi Access Point Shipment Forecast, by Region , World Market, Forecast: 2012 to 2017