Skip to main content

MSOs Explore Mesh Networking Models

In a recent study, ABI Research pointed out that while North American cable MSOs had shown no immediate interest in deploying mesh networks, several of them were quietly investing in mesh technology firms.

Now one mesh vendor, BelAir Networks, has announced the formation of a technical advisory board comprised of cable companies, aimed at obtaining more input from the cable industry that would help it to incorporate MSOs' input into its product development plans. According to ABI Research senior analyst of wireless connectivity research, Sam Lucero, "BelAir's move serves further to underscore that cable MSOs could become a very significant component in mesh networking in North America."

"It's still early days for mesh, particularly when it comes to cable MSO involvement," Lucero adds, "but there are good reasons for MSOs to get involved. We have seen indications that MSO trials are under way, and real deployments may begin sometime in the next 12 to 18 months."

In Europe, a different picture is emerging. Underlying conditions in Western Europe (relatively easier access for competitive service providers to incumbents' networks and more advanced 3G deployments) do not bode as well for mesh networking in the region, compared to North America or Asia-Pacific. But there have been some interesting developments lately, which are quite different from those in North America or Asia-Pacific.

US-based equipment vendor Firetide, together with wireless switch vendor and VoIP specialist Meru Networks, will work with Spanish wireless hotspot operator AWA to extend Wi-Fi hotspot coverage by means of additional mesh networks. And in the UK, a hotspot provider called The Cloud has announced that it will collaborate with Tropos, to use mesh networks to extend the range of hotspots in the UK and on the continent.

"It's not quite the same as the metropolitan mesh networks that are developing in the United States," says Lucero. There's no attempt to blanket an entire urban area. Rather, they're using mesh technology to expand the coverage area in specific locations: hotels, cafes, service stations, and limited downtown "hotzones." "While more of a 'campus-scale' effort," he advises, "it is a valid and cost-effective model, and with thousands of hotspots around the EU, it could be a significant opportunity."

Popular posts from this blog

Open Banking Usage to Grow by 470 Percent

The Open Banking business model has been advantageous for Third-Party Providers (TPPs), helping them to extend their offerings into other areas of financial services with new capabilities. Open Banking is also advantageous for traditional banking institutions, despite the perceived loss of custodianship over their data, by providing greater accessibility to more bank services. Furthermore, Open Banking can help serve Mobile Internet providers that are able to leverage it to create tailored services according to customers’ preferences and/or economic limitations. Open Banking Market Development Since traditional banking services are made more convenient by TPPs via greater data access, customers can proactively manage their finances and shape the development of new financial offerings. This is particularly noticeable in the realm of Digital Payments, where retail merchants and customers transact through eCommerce, which has the greatest number of use cases for Open Banking. These includ

Global Digital Business and IT Consulting Outlook

Across the globe, CEOs and their leadership teams continue to seek information and guidance about planned Digital Transformation initiatives and the most effective enterprise organization change management practices. Worldwide IT and Business Services revenue will grow from $1.13 trillion in 2022 to $1.2 trillion in 2023 -- that's a 5.7 percent year-over-year growth, according to the latest market study by International Data Corporation (IDC). The mid-term to long-term outlook for the market has also increased -- the five-year CAGR is forecast at 5.2 percent, compared to the previous 4.9 percent. Digital Sevices & Consulting Market Development IDC has raised the growth projection despite a weak economic outlook, because of vendor performances across 2022, growth indicators from adjacent markets, increased government funding, and inflation impacts. The actual 2022 market growth was 6.7 percent (in constant currency), which was 87 basis points higher than forecast last year, alth

Why Instant Issuance Payment Cards Evolved

The global financial services sector continues to grow as more progressive organizations seek to gain a meaningful competitive advantage from their digital transformation initiatives. Across the globe, many regions are seeing a significant rise in 'instant issuance' activity from a physical and digital perspective, from both traditional and emerging innovative banking institutions. Digital Payments Market Development Customers increasingly demand instant access to banking services, with physical instant issuance enabling them to leave their branch equipped with a ready-to-go payment card. According to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research, the market for instantly issued physical payment cards will increase from 243.2 million shipments in 2022 to a forecast of 471.1 million in 2027. "Critically, instant issuance of payment cards is no longer limited to the physical," said Sam Gazeley, industry analyst at ABI Research . Indeed, the growing digitization of p