S03 CAF 6 2012 Agenda 02_Layout 1 30/10/2012 10:46 Page 12
AGENDA
Innovating Wi-Fi connectivity RUCKUS WIRELESS OFFERS connectivity technology based on a framework of features and specifications defined within the Wi-Fi Alliance. Says Michael Fletcher, Sales Director for Ruckus Wireless SubSaharan Africa, “Historically, to connect to a hotspot, users have had to perform the arduous task of manually selecting from a number of Wi-Fi networks that may or may not be able to provide them service and perform the tedious process of logging in with their user credentials. Using Passpoint-certified devices, this process will be completely automated. Passpoint-certified mobile devices automatically select a Wi-Fi hotspot based on information advertised by Passpoint-certified Wi-Fi access points.” One of the first to integrate 802.11u within its Smart Wi-Fi access points, Ruckus has successfully completed interoperability testing with several operators and handset manufacturers around the world. Support for 802.11u and the technology tested by the Wi-Fi Alliance’s Passpoint certification programme will be available as a no-cost software upgrade on Ruckus ZoneFlex access points by the end of 2012. Many mobile device manufacturers and infrastructure suppliers, including Ruckus Wireless, are implementing these new Wi-Fi capabilities within their equipment and have participated in trials under the Wireless Broadband Alliance’s Next Generation Hotpots (NGH) initiative. The Wi-Fi Alliance Hotspot
According to Informa Telecoms and Media, the number of hotspots worldwide is expected to more than double from 2.1mn in 2012 to over 5.8mn by 2015 2.0 Specification that underlies the first phase of the Passpoint programme includes the automation of three typically manual processes: • Discovering and selecting a Wi-Fi network. • Authenticating the user and device using the internal SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card found in many mobile devices (as well as support for non-SIM devices). • Securing the connection of each device using WPA2 Enterprise encryption and authentication. Operators around the world are embracing Wi-Fi as means to inject much needed capacity into their mobile networks caused by the flood of data from new smart mobile devices. The use of Wi-Fi-certified Passpoint equipment will benefit service providers in a number of ways such as accelerating the offload of data from cellular networks to Wi-Fi and reducing operational costs by providing a single Wi-Fi network that can advertise support for multiple operators.
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12 Communications Africa Issue 6 2012
Could you profitably provide a gigabyte a day? NOKIA SIEMENS NETWORKS has introduced an innovative approach to offering profitable mobile broadband while enriching user experience. NSN’s Liquid Net and customer experience management portfolios and updates enable operators to deliver mobile broadband in a new way - with the prospect of provision by 2020 of a gigabyte of personalised data per day, profitably, for every user. “We are focused on helping operators deliver mobile broadband profitably in the face of this challenge. In October, we will share with operators how they can meet this demand, delight their users, and still make money,” said Marc Rouanne, head of mobile broadband at Nokia Siemens Networks.
Spacecom invests US200mn in AMOS-6 satellite AMOS SATELLITE FLEET operator Spacecom has entered into an agreement with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to manufacture the AMOS-6 satellite, which is scheduled for launch in 2015. MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd will be the contractor for the Ku and multibeam Ka pay-loads. Under terms of the US$200mn agreement, IAI will construct the satellite, prepare it operationally for launch, place it into its 4°W orbital position, and provide ground control operations over the The AMOS-2 satellite (shown here satellite's life, planned to be at least under test conditions) operates at 16 years. The 4°W 'hot spot' is home the 4°W 'hot spot', where AMOS-6 is headed in 2015 to Spacecom’s AMOS-2 and AMOS3 constellation, which provides satellite services to Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and the US East Coast. "We are proud to select Israel Aerospace Industries to be our partner in the AMOS-6 project. They have been our partners in manufacturing the majority of our earlier satellites, and we have an excellent working relationship with all aspects of their organisation," commented David Pollack, president and CEO of Spacecom. "AMOS-6 will expand our reach to include Western Europe, add new Ka-band spot beams and eventually replace the AMOS-2 satellite when it ends commercial service in 2016. We are excited to start moving forward with this project which will enhance our reputation as a multi-regional satellite operator." To fund the AMOS-6 project, Spacecom is planning to raise funds from a consortium of investors, including IAI and foreign lenders that support exporters of systems to be included in the satellite.