| One of the most important developments in | | | | locations, smartphone users can often maintain access |
| smartphone evolution is the growing support for both | | | | to data services using nearby Wi-Fi hotspots. And |
| wide area 3G cellular networks and local Wi-Fi | | | | Wi-Fi helps users reduce their download volumes and |
| hotspots. This provides tremendous flexibility to users, | | | | provides high-performance connections if they should |
| and potentially significant cost savings to the enterprise. | | | | exceed their monthly limits. |
| There are five cost-saving reasons why enterprises | | | | 5. Wi-Fi gives smartphone users in-flight access. A |
| should take a serious look at promoting the use of | | | | number of airlines offer in-flight Wi-Fi, enabling business |
| Wi-Fi on smartphones: | | | | travelers to make productive use of their time aloft |
| 1. Wi-Fi can offload 3G data use. Picking up the tab for | | | | -updating their personal calendars, attending WebEx |
| users' 3G cellular plans can be a significant expense. | | | | meetings, checking email, and staying in touch via |
| Using Wi-Fi when it's available - especially with the | | | | instant messaging. This is an important capability for |
| explosive growth of free Wi-Fi - can offload | | | | smartphone users, particularly in the U.S. where FCC |
| megabytes from users' 3G plans, reducing the costs | | | | regulations prohibit in-flight cellular network use. |
| to the enterprise while supporting users on their | | | | Smartphones have become indispensible for mobile |
| preferred mobility platform. | | | | workers, whether running from one meeting to another |
| 2. Wi-Fi can eliminate exorbitant 3G international | | | | or needing to travel in order to meet customers, |
| roaming fees. International travelers who use their | | | | partners or colleagues. At times, an employee may |
| smartphones abroad can easily rack up hundreds and | | | | choose to only carry a smartphone, relying on |
| even thousands of dollars in 3G network roaming fees | | | | connectivity to stay in touch and up-to-date. |
| on a single business trip. These fees can run as much | | | | Enterprises often invest in mobility management |
| as $10 per megabyte. Wi-Fi support in the smartphone | | | | solutions that provide access to multiple services in |
| lets users access the Internet and enterprise network | | | | hotspot locations all over the world. A service that's |
| services much more affordably. | | | | easy for the user to switch between WiFi and 3G |
| 3. Wi-Fi access can improve application performance. | | | | connections, along with links to an online hotspot finder |
| The bandwidth available on a network access | | | | showing available connections, can improve employee |
| connection can significantly affect application | | | | productivity and connection time. Simple and seamless |
| performance, particularly with those involving voice and | | | | access to connections will also reduce helpdesk calls. |
| video. In addition, high latency can destroy usability in | | | | And because mobile workers often carry a laptop |
| voice and video applications, causing frustration and | | | | along with a smartphone, connection complexity |
| costly mistakes. Wi-Fi delivers higher throughput and | | | | increases depending on the variety of devices allowed |
| lower latency than 3G. In addition, with certain 3G plans, | | | | by the enterprise. |
| bandwidth decreases as users exceed predefined | | | | 3G connections are not always available or |
| monthly download limits. | | | | sometimes run slow. Wi-Fi access can provide a |
| 4. Wi-Fi often provides coverage where 3G doesn't. | | | | combination of performance and economy, and |
| When 3G signals are weak or unavailable in some | | | | ultimately saves money for the enterprise. |