We discuss the following topics in this blog:

1. Role of Gigabit Fiber Internet.
2. Sterlite Tech’s Smart & Intelligent Offload solution.
3. Adding intelligence to Het Net.
4. How to Decongest Network Traffic at Densely Populated Places?

In addition to these topics, we shall also be answering the following FAQs:

1. What is WiFi?
2. What is an Optical Fibre Cable?

Overview

At a time when speed is the name of the game, Gigabit Fiber Internet is making the dream of ultra-high-speed internet a reality.

Telcos can take advantage of gigabit internet by offering quad play services to home users. However, there are as many devices as there are people and all of them connected to multiple networks, leading to what we call the “het net” or heterogeneous networks (landline, broadband, D2H and mobile connectivity).

Het Net entails many challenges for telcos such as network congestion and improper utilization of data capacity. What with the number of Wi-Fi-enabled devices growing exponentially, the burden on telecom operators to offer seamless connectivity across multiple devices is also high.

What about Seamless Wi-Fi Offload Solution?

A Wi-Fi offload solution can help CSPs to seamlessly offload the increasing amount of data traffic without being burdened.

Sterlite Tech’s Smart & Intelligent Offload provides that one-stop-solution to telcos without the hassles of dealing with multiple vendors for various services. It works on three main enablers:

• 3GPP compliant ANDSF
• Mobile App/SDK, and,
• Client-based Edge Analytics

The in-built ANDSF Server enables users to seamlessly switch to the best, fastest and strongest possible Wi-Fi and other networks in the vicinity to enjoy uninterrupted service- be it streaming video, using voice, data or even augmented reality applications.

Not just network selection, but the Intelligent Offload solution also helps to add network-defined policy management based on 3GPP ANDSF Standards to improve customer experience over Wi-Fi while allowing telcos to identify and manage user experience from a centralized location.

Add intelligence to Het Net

Business growth, among other factors, depends on analysing customer needs and providing tailored solutions to them. Smart & Intelligent Offload’s Edge Analytics has the ability to track Wi-Fi offload, giving real time visibility of how users are offloading to Wi-Fi and how much time they are spending on high-quality Wi-Fi connections. This level of visibility makes it possible to reduce congestion and ensure proper data utilization in heterogeneous networks.

How to Decongest Network Traffic at Densely Populated Places?

According to Statista, number of public Wi-Fi hotspots worldwide would increase to 542 million by 2021 while 98.1 percent of all home Wi-Fi routers will be equipped with 802.11ac by that time.

If the growing number of Wi-Fi hotspots is any indication, Wi-Fi Offload can bring a host of opportunities for telecom companies. Be it hotels, airports, cafés, public places, office spaces or residential societies, a shared Wi-Fi hotspot will not just bring in high-speed, uninterrupted connectivity, but can also bring down individual cost of internet connectivity.

Gigabit fiber will ensure that sharing public hotspots or home hotspots among a large community of users will soon become popular. By implementing a seamless offload solution, telcos can easily meet the demand for seamless connectivity between various networks.

FAQs

What is WiFi?

Put simply, WiFi is a technology that uses radio waves to create a wireless network through which devices like mobile phones, computers, printers, etc., connect to the internet. A wireless router is needed to establish a WiFi hotspot that people in its vicinity may use to access internet services. You’re sure to have encountered such a WiFi hotspot in houses, offices, restaurants, etc.

To get a little more technical, WiFi works by enabling a Wireless Local Area Network or WLAN that allows devices connected to it to exchange signals with the internet via a router. The frequencies of these signals are either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz bandwidths. These frequencies are much higher than those transmitted to or by radios, mobile phones, and televisions since WiFi signals need to carry significantly higher amounts of data. The networking standards are variants of 802.11, of which there are several (802.11a, 802.11b, 801.11g, etc.).

What is an Optical Fibre Cable?

An optical fibre cable is a cable type that has a few to hundreds of optical fibres bundled together within a protective plastic coating. They help carry digital data in the form of light pulses across large distances at faster speeds. For this, they need to be installed or deployed either underground or aerially. Standalone fibres cannot be buried or hanged so fibres are bunched together as cables for the transmission of data.

This is done to protect the fibre from stress, moisture, temperature changes and other externalities. There are three main components of a optical fibre cable, core (It carries the light and is made of pure silicon dioxide (SiO2) with dopants such as germania, phosphorous pentoxide, or alumina to raise the refractive index; Typical glass cores range from as small as 3.7um up to 200um), Cladding (Cladding surrounds the core and has a lower refractive index than the core, it is also made from the same material as the core; 1% refractive index difference is maintained between the core and cladding; Two commonly used diameters are 125µm and 140µm) and Coating (Protective layer that absorbs shocks, physical damage and moisture; The outside diameter of the coating is typically either 250µm or 500µm; Commonly used material for coatings are acrylate,Silicone, carbon, and polyimide).

An optical fibre cable is made up of the following components: Optical fibres – ranging from one to many. Buffer tubes (with different settings), for protection and cushioning of the fibre. Water protection in the tubes – wet or dry. A central strength member (CSM) is the backbone of all cables. Armoured tapes for stranding to bunch the buffer tubes and strength members together. Sheathing or final covering to provide further protection.

The five main reasons that make this technology innovation disruptive are fast communication speed, infinite bandwidth & capacity, low interference, high tensile strength and secure communication. The major usescases of optical fibre cables include intenet connectivity, computer networking, surgery & dentistry, automotive industry, telephony, lighting & decorations, mechanical inspections, cable television, military applications and space.