Technology company Ericsson is aiming to make indoor mobile data more reliable and stable with its Radio Dot device.
The Radio Dot device from Ericsson extends indoor coverage for mobile data, providing malls, hospitals and the likes with better 3G connectivity.
Mobile data users use their data connections more indoors than outdoors. So mobile operators have a bit of a challenge in providing decent coverage to them.
“The Dot will do the trick in providing the best 3G coverage in an indoor situation,” said Ericsson’s Hans Piet told IT News Africa at this year’s AfricaCom conference.
Piet is Head of Practice: Mobile Broadband at Ericsson Sub Saharan Africa.
He explained that the device simply connects to a standard CAT5 cable network cable, and through it, is able to provide 3G coverage over a large area. “It is really a revolutionary device, as it is a new kind of architecture. Something like this has never happened in the mobile space. There have been some trials in the US, and we are looking to roll it out globally by the second half of next year,” he said.
Even though the device improves the 3G connections, Piet was quick to add that it cannot boost connection in rural areas. “For rural areas we have different solutions. Today HSPA focusses more on urban areas, but if there isn’t any network signal, then the Dot won’t be able to strengthen it – it’s not a booster, but simply relays the signal for indoor use.”
For rural areas, Piet is of the opinion that network operators need to up their game. “Problems are difference in each area. Users have a need to make use of the right technology for the job, but network operators have to look to optimise their networks. There are a lot of challenges still for operators, and mobile broadband is very different from an experience point. Data is the experience when using a smartphone, and people want more.”
He added that network operators need to rethink their strategy, and that they need to make the big investments. “They need to make sure they get better network performance. In turn, that will motivate people to use their handsets more often.”
Charlie Fripp – Consumer Tech editor
