Wireless Networks

Wireless Wide Area Networks For Mobile Computing Applications

When network coverage requirements for a mobile computing application go beyond a campus or a metropolitan area, you need a wireless wide area network (WAN). There are a number of wireless WANs available from different network infrastructure suppliers for private installation or network service providers for public shared use. These networks come in both public shared version (available on a packet usage basis) as well as in private network versions, though the trend is definitely towards public shared implementation. As project designers, you have a choice of the following wireless WANs:

USA

• SMR (mostly private, but sometimes public, as well) networks for voice and data -
  especially for public safety applications. Click here for more information.
• Paging Networks - for slow speed transmission of short numeric, text or alphanumeric
  messages - one-way or two-way. Click here for more information on paging networks.
• Public cellular circuit-switched networks - normally used for voice communication but
  can be used for data traffic as well for some applications where you need to connect
  for file transfer and synchronization, etc. Click here for more information.
• CDPD networks operated by a number of carriers - GTE, Bell Atlantic, etc. Click here
  for more information.
• Motient - provides national coverage through a 4800-19200 bps packet mobile radio data network in over 90% of urban areas of USA.  Click here for more information.
• Cingular (formerly Bell South) wireless data network - based on Ericsson's Mobitex architecture - a 8000 bps national network: Click here for more information.
• NEXTEL's iDEN ESMR Network: Go to ESMR page for more information.
• Public narrow-band PCS networks - GSM, CDMA and TDMA Wireless Networks
• Narrowband PCS (CDMA, TDMA & GSM) networks) - Several different wireless operators are offering PCS digital networks. Some use TDMA technology, others use CDMA and still others GSM - a European standard for digital data.
• GSM - Primarily a European standard for PCS for voice and data, it is being implemented by several US wireless network service providers as well. Go to our GSM page for brief info on this network. Go to North American GSM Alliance site  for further information on GSM.
• Broadband Wireless Networks - During 1999, several new initiatives were started underway to provide wireless access to the Internet in the broadband arena. The objective is to provide high speed access from fixed locations using wireless network technology. Go to Hot Topics page for more info.
• Satellite Networks - True ubiquitous wireless network coverage is provided only by satellite networks. Go to Satellite Network page for more info.
• Verizon, Sprint and AT&T wireless data network
• GSM/GPRS, 2.5G and 3G Networks - Go to hot topics

Canada

• Bell Mobility Service in Ontario & Quebec
• Cantel AT&T Mobitex network in major parts of Canada - messaging, paging, etc.
• Clearnet ESMR Network - iDEN network - ESMR-based - text, voice. e-mail
• Microcell's GSM network in Canada - FIDO "Data to GO" electronic messaging and fax services using a GSM telephone handset connected to a PC
• PageNet - pager-based messaging
• Telus (and BC Tel Mobility) offering CDPD wireless data services in Western Canada (Alberta & BC) now, and planning for the rest of Canada

Choosing the Right Wireless Network for Your Application : Go to "Selecting the Right Network" page

For a brief description of various wireless network technologies - cellular, PCS, TDMA, CDMA, and others go to Lucent Technologies reading room.