Cellular 4G LTE vs WiFi
To cope with the exponential increase in data demand since
the introduction of the Smartphone, many wireless carriers have been trying a
variety of solutions to help meet the needs of their customers. In some cases,
these service providers find themselves with a troubling choice: they can
either offload their cellular traffic to public, unlicensed WiFi networks or
risk losing customers to their competitors. It is understandable that most
would choose the former, but the increasingly widespread practice of WiFi
offloading has many cell site owners concerned about the implications. Could
this offloading practice take business from cellular providers and site owners,
or worse– render them obsolete?
Experts think not. In fact, the practice of WiFi offloading isn’t
nearly the threat to cellular service that it might seem at first glance. While
there are certainly issues with this practice that will require a bit of
patience, flexibility, and extra preparedness from cell site owners and
renters, there are still several challenges in the wireless industry that make
cellular service a necessity. In fact, issues particular to WiFi capability not
only ensure cellular services’ secure position in the wireless data industry,
but could also prove a boon to savvier investors.
Meeting Hotspot
Requirements
No matter their size, any given WiFi access point will have
limitations in both service radius and number of users that can be supported at
once. Hence, the growing demand for WiFi hotspots, and the access points available
at each, has many wireless carriers scrambling to develop new cellular sites
and improve those already in existence. This means more investment
opportunities for cell site owners and renters alike.
Even with their best efforts, there are still significant
gaps to be found in WiFi coverage, particularly in more rural areas. As a
result, customers continue to utilize cellular coverage as a more reliable
option. Since WiFi planning and development often take several years to
process and implement, cell tower owners in these areas are particularly secure
from any threats that could be posed by WiFi offloading.
Interference
On the other side of the coin, more population-dense areas
are facing an over-saturation of data access points in WiFi hotspots. This
overload of competing access points creates interference between WiFi carriers,
which diminishes both security and quality of user experience. In these
scenarios, cellular service provides an access point with greater security and
protection from interference, enhancing the user experience on all points.
As a result, a large percentage of users continue to rely on
cellular coverage even in thriving WiFi hotspots. Those owning or renting cell
towers in these areas may do well to upgrade their sites to keep up with
evolving WiFi technology, but maintaining the quality of cellular technology on the site will also be crucial to the property’s value.
Meeting the Demands
of High Call Volumes
Along with its limitations in terms of radius and user
capacity, WiFi also faces challenges in terms of high call volumes. Most WiFi
access points can only handle 15 calls simultaneously, and this number
decreases in areas of high interference. As long as people continue making
voice calls, the need for reliable cellular towers will remain constant. This
is especially true in areas that experience higher call volumes, such as
neighborhoods rich in multifamily housing and city business districts.
Ensuring Seamless
Connectivity
Currently, most WiFi access points require users to sign in
at least once to be able to use the network. This inconvenience is strongly
felt by those in transit, in the midst of a conference, or for those handling
time-sensitive matters over the network. As such, most users opt for cellular
service for hassle-free access to their data network. While steps are being
taken to make WiFi access a smoother process for users, it will require
protocol development and technological updates that will take several years to
implement. The process will also require additional partnership and cooperation
with cellular service providers, creating a potential benefaction for cell
tower owners.
Maintaining Continued
Security in a Changing Industry
With WiFi service providers facing challenges that only
cellular providers can overcome, cell tower owners can take assurance that
their property is certain to maintain its value in the years to come. However,
there are steps that cell site owners and renters can take to not only ensure
this security’s longevity but to increase property value in the interim. By
practicing savviness and adaptability, cell site owners can ensure the
continued worth of their investment for many years to come. The consultants at Lease Advisors
are prepared for such contingencies and are ready to help cell tower owners
make the most of the changing times. By offering their expertise and insight,
they can help turn this potentially worrying trend into a long-lasting advantage for you and your investment.
