Five Key Considerations for Enterprise 4G
For an enterprise to utilize 3G or 4G – or for that matter, embracing wireless access as a strategy – is something that many companies are giving serious thought to, especially now that 4G is steadily spreading across the country, market by market.
With one meg upstream and downstream bandwidth … actually more, in many cases … plus infinite flexibility, 4G allows enterprises to move wireless beyond data-centric applications into data-intensive applications. Moving video or offering decent Internet access over the link becomes an option, where previously the connection might have been restricted to applications such as credit card approvals and inventory applications.
What 4G provides is bandwidth similar to a T1, but at a much lower cost. The service experience is different, but if the average company can save about $300 a month for each T1 replaced by a wireless link… that’s a savings that can add up pretty quickly (depending on your network setup). In fact, even if you only use it as a backup option in case your main circuit goes down, it is a cost-effective alternative.
Where Sprint is seeing the most interest right now among our enterprise customers is in those companies who have been using 3G for a while. They believe in wireless and now they have the opportunity to take that to the next level, so to speak.
There are five key points to consider when it comes to movin’ on up to 4G:
1. Make sure you have a reason to move. This is still leading edge technology, so make sure it’s right for you and your business. If you use wireless only for credit cards and inventory, then 3G can suffice … but if you want to add more users, run more applications, move more data, then 4G is the answer.
2. Coverage matters, especially when it comes to where you are located. With more markets going live every week, 4G is on the roll.
3. If you haven’t already worked with wireless access, be aware that it is different. If your applications call for a dedicated circuit because of latency-sensitive traffic, or high traffic, then that dedicated circuit might still be your best bet. Wireless works, and it works well, but it does have a different performance. It’s like Coke and Pepsi … both good, but that doesn’t mean they are the same.
4. Stay on top of the evolution of the technology and the products that surround it. Just like any new technology, as it matures the product options improve. If you’re an early adopter, stay tuned for upgraded options going forward … and if you’re a later adopter, well, don’t wait too long, because you’re just denying yourself the benefits.
5. Don’t forget the rest of the solution. Wireless access is great, but the package should include firewalls, virtualization, VPNs, security, Web Protection, and a network efficiency strategy. Remember … protect thyself.
-Steve
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