Mobile networking

Mobile enterprise applications have significant bandwidth requirements, especially those that connect to back-end data and services. As such, the proper approach to mobile networking is essential. The resources in this section explain how to evaluate cellular and wireless networks and how to optimize mobile wireless networks to ensure users can access the data and applications they need.

Top Stories

Tip 22 Dec 2022
Wireless network capacity planning and requirements

When planning wireless network capacity needs, tally your total endpoints, monitor application bandwidth usage and consider future growth. Continue Reading
Feature 02 Nov 2022
9 steps for wireless network planning and design

Wireless network planning may appear daunting. But IT teams can tackle this task in nine key phases, which include capacity, redundancy and site surveys. Continue Reading

Tip 26 Apr 2022

Indoor 5G gets a boost as small cells come to rescue

Indoor small cells are becoming more common in consumer and enterprise markets. Along with distributed antenna systems and Wi-Fi networks, small cells increasingly enable RF coverage. Continue Reading
Tip 20 Apr 2022

Enterprise 5G deployment options and how to procure them

The two main types of 5G deployment options are standalone and non-standalone. Find out how they're different, how to procure them and some helpful tips for 5G success. Continue Reading
Tip 18 Apr 2022

Top 5G limitations and challenges for businesses

While 5G has advanced in recent years, the fifth generation of cellular technology still has some shortcomings, such as smaller coverage ranges and a lack of rural rollouts. Continue Reading
Tip 04 Apr 2022

What are the features and benefits of 5G technology?

In addition to high speeds and low latency, the emergence of 5G cellular technology could put some pressure on the market prices of incumbent WAN connectivity. Continue Reading
Feature 23 Mar 2022

5G vs. 4G: Learn the key differences between them

4G and 5G network architectures have some significant differences. See how the two technologies differ and what the new capabilities could mean for business communications. Continue Reading
Tip 13 Jan 2022

What's happening with standalone 5G?

Standalone 5G is the next major update for 5G technology. Learn about the benefits SA 5G will bring and find out when operators will begin deploying it worldwide. Continue Reading
Tip 08 Nov 2021

Midband 5G spectrum auctions come to the fore

Midband has become the premier spectrum for 5G use. The FCC's 3.45 GHz auction began in October, following the massive C-band sell-off that ended in January 2021. Continue Reading
Answer 08 Oct 2021

The status of 5G rollouts in 2021 and 2022

Major U.S. mobile operators -- AT&T, Dish, T-Mobile and Verizon -- are focused on deploying 5G through 2022. Learn about each provider's timeline. Continue Reading
Answer 08 Jul 2021

What's the difference between a MAC address and IP address?

A MAC address and an IP address each identify network devices, but they do the job at different levels. Explore the differences between the two and learn why both are necessary. Continue Reading
Feature 03 Jun 2021

Is 5G dangerous? Debunking the myths

Fifth-generation wireless is the latest iteration of mobile technology. Here are six myths surrounding 5G wireless technology -- and why they aren't true. Continue Reading
Feature 24 May 2021

The future of BYOD: Trends and predictions

As employees and corporations come to expect greater flexibility and mobility, BYODs are an important element in the successful planning and execution of the hybrid workplace. Continue Reading
Feature 06 May 2021

Why a mobile security policy is a must-have corporate policy

A well-defined mobile device security policy that educates employees on the proper use of BYODs can help seal off vulnerabilities in corporate networks and bolster threat defense. Continue Reading
Feature 04 Feb 2021

An overview of 3GPP 5G releases and what each one means

3GPP has standardized features and specifications for all cellular technology generations since 3G. Learn about 3GPP's 5G timeline and notable features each 5G release introduces. Continue Reading
Tip 03 Feb 2021

Weighing the advantages of private 5G vs. carrier 5G

Considering private 5G vs. carrier 5G for your interior networking? No single option fits all, but here are some factors you should consider. Continue Reading
News 29 Dec 2020

Private 5G networks to gain momentum in 2021

Enterprises using industrial IoT devices are among the early adopters of private 5G networks, which could become an $8 billion market by 2027. Continue Reading
Tip 24 Nov 2020

Improve mobile hotspot security in 5 steps

Users may not hesitate to connect to a mobile hotspot, but that doesn't mean IT should always allow it. Learn the threats these hotspots pose and how to handle them. Continue Reading
Feature 01 Oct 2020

The 3 different types of 5G technology for enterprises

5G isn't a single flavor of cellular technology; it's three flavors, and each one can enable advanced capabilities, such as ultrareliable low latency and IoT connectivity. Continue Reading
Tip 30 Sep 2020

Global company weighs 5G for manufacturing, IoT analytics

Global manufacturer Sanmina is studying the benefits of deploying 5G on its manufacturing floor to improve the speed of IoT and analytics data exchanges to the cloud. Continue Reading
Tip 28 Sep 2020

5G network security concerns and how to prepare for them

Enterprises looking forward to deploying 5G must first assess their security concerns upfront and review their policies and procedures, despite 5G's security improvements. Continue Reading
Tip 18 Sep 2020

How and when to establish enterprise 5G partnerships

Enterprises that buy 5G public services, procure network slices or build their own private 5G networks need to establish the right partnerships for mobile services, equipment and software. Continue Reading
Answer 17 Sep 2020

Private LTE networks grow as 5G comes into view

Private LTE networks deliver secure cellular connectivity in localized enterprise or industrial spaces, with private 5G networks and newly available spectrum bands soon to follow. Continue Reading
Tip 15 Sep 2020

7 top 5G enterprise use cases and business opportunities

While 5G is not fully baked yet, early business use cases are intriguing. Connections between branch offices and headquarters, for instance, could be improved with fixed wireless. Continue Reading
Feature 11 Sep 2020

Telecommunications book highlights spectrum, fiber cabling

5G touts faster download speeds and new application types, but other major 5G changes will be in spectrum and fixed wireless. Learn more in this telecommunications book excerpt. Continue Reading
Feature 11 Sep 2020

Multimedia data and 5G drive network transformation

Emerging networking trends and touted innovations always showcase faster speeds and new use cases. Yet, new challenges keep pace, too, such as security and privacy issues. Continue Reading
Feature 18 Aug 2020

Enterprises prefer private 5G networks over network slicing

Large enterprises are wary of network slicing within public 5G networks because of potential security risks. But SMBs see network slicing as a viable 5G option. Continue Reading
Feature 27 Jul 2020

5G enterprise market will overtake consumer cellular by 2036

5G is the first cellular technology generation that enterprise use cases will play a larger role than consumer use cases. Learn more from ABI Research's 5G Technology Summit. Continue Reading
Tip 20 Apr 2020

How ISPs and operators ensure network quality in a pandemic

COVID-19 has caused a spike in remote workers, increased internet usage and traffic surges. Here's how ISPs and telecom operators plan for continuity and quality during the pandemic. Continue Reading
Tip 15 Apr 2020

Determine 5G enterprise use cases, cost before deployment

There's a lot of hype surrounding 5G. Before getting too excited, it's important to determine the enterprise use cases, costs and what organizations must do to take advantage of 5G. Continue Reading
Tip 20 Mar 2020

5 strategic steps to blunt mobile device security threats

Companies need to evaluate their own needs and implement a viable mobile security strategy that's part of an overall corporate security plan. Their future may depend on it. Continue Reading
News 19 Mar 2020

Remote work could cause mobile network problems in a pandemic

Experts said the extra traffic caused by new remote workers could put a strain on mobile networks, but it could also cause businesses to rethink how work gets done. Continue Reading
Feature 19 Feb 2020

IEEE reveals 802 standards process and the future of Wi-Fi

The IEEE 802 Standards Committee looks years in advance to improve Wi-Fi and Ethernet technology. A sampling of the future: 802.11be, Wi-Fi sensing and increased Ethernet range. Continue Reading
Tip 14 Feb 2020

Watch for these 6 wireless networking trends in 2020

No doubt you've heard about 5G and Wi-Fi 6. But don't forget other wireless trends emerging in 2020, such as CBRS, dynamic spectrum sharing and Open RAN. Continue Reading
Feature 16 Jan 2020

Future of networking technology relies on 5G, edge computing

In this roundup of networking blogs, experts discuss the key trends they look forward to in 2020 and how these advancements could benefit networking's future. Continue Reading
News 10 Jan 2020

5G connectivity won't be enterprise-ready in 2020

Despite hype and new device announcements, experts expect 5G will take time to catch on in the enterprise. The tech has potential, but not all the necessary factors are in place. Continue Reading
Feature 27 Dec 2019

Decision-makers may prefer Wi-Fi over 5G in retail networks

For retail use cases, 5G may not provide as many benefits as it would for other sectors. Yet 5G offers innovative features, and retailers may still adopt 5G networks in the future. Continue Reading
Tip 04 Dec 2019

Assess the Wi-Fi 6 features available in Wave 1 and Wave 2

Catch up on the different features available with the first wave of Wi-Fi 6, including OFDMA and Target Wake Time, and find out which capabilities Wave 2 will bring. Continue Reading
Feature 07 Nov 2019

4 enterprise WAN challenges that 5G service could resolve

With 5G, organizations could ease or resolve common WAN challenges around deployment, business expansion, monthly pricing models and adoption of new technologies. Continue Reading
Guide 02 Oct 2019

5G explained: A deep dive into the features and facts

In this 5G guide, learn about key features, challenges and deployment tips. This 5G explanation goes beyond the fundamentals and explores 5G's relationship to other technologies. Continue Reading
Answer 01 Oct 2019

How will BSS coloring boost Wi-Fi 6 performance?

BSS coloring is a feature that will help accelerate Wi-Fi 6 performance. Find out how the new mechanism will help access points transmit more efficiently. Continue Reading
Tip 05 Sep 2019

The benefits of Wi-Fi 6 and how to prepare for them

In order to glean the benefits of Wi-Fi 6, enterprises first need to determine the best steps for a migration strategy. Two key steps are implementing more power and faster uplinks. Continue Reading
Feature 12 Aug 2019

The essential 5G glossary of key terms and phrases

To understand 5G, delve into various elements that encompass the new technology. This glossary of 5G keywords explains what 5G is and how its new features work. Continue Reading
Feature 21 Jun 2019

802.11ac drives enterprise WLAN market growth for now

802.11ac played a crucial role in enterprise WLAN market growth, as companies felt the pressure to upgrade their wireless infrastructure. But 802.11ax is the future. Continue Reading
Tip 06 Jun 2019

How 5G deployment will affect enterprise network hardware, software

Enterprise network architects can start thinking about 5G deployment now, focusing on mobile usage, real-time communications and 5G-capable network equipment. Continue Reading
Answer 14 May 2019

Will 5G networks require new network engineer skills?

The 5G network will likely affect network engineer skills in areas such as security, physical appliances and software. But enterprise teams won't see too much change, for now. Continue Reading
Feature 01 May 2019

Benefits of 5G to drive enterprise adoption regardless of provider

Key 5G expectations among business decision-makers include improved network speed and reliability, and most enterprises are willing to obtain 5G regardless of provider or price. Continue Reading
Tip 01 May 2019

Wireless capacity more important than fast Wi-Fi 6 speed

Wi-Fi 6 speed may be getting all the attention, but the most compelling advantages of the new standard are techniques engineered to increase wireless capacity. Continue Reading
Tip 25 Apr 2019

Wi-Fi 6 vs. 5G networks is more about cooperation than competition

While Wi-Fi 6 and 5G might experience some interference with each other, enterprises should focus on the handoff of connections between the two technologies. Continue Reading
Quiz 16 Apr 2019

What do you know about the history of mobile networks?

Though it still has a long way to go, 5G is finally here. This quiz takes you through mobile networking's history -- from first-generation wireless to 5G expectations. Continue Reading
Answer 09 Apr 2019

When will enterprises adopt the new Wi-Fi 6 standard?

Networking vendors have unveiled Wi-Fi 6 devices, yet the wireless standard is not ratified. Don't expect Wi-Fi 6 to flow into the mainstream anytime soon. Continue Reading
Opinion 04 Apr 2019

Skip the wireless site survey cost and invest in more wireless APs

A wireless site survey simply provides a one-time snapshot of a work environment's wireless coverage. But Wi-Fi requires ongoing management based on several changing variables. Continue Reading
Opinion 02 Apr 2019

Wireless site surveys and why you no longer need them

Wireless site surveys have always been part of a WLAN installation, but today that no longer should be the case. Capacity, not coverage, is more important. Continue Reading
Tip 04 Mar 2019

How to improve network speed and get faster Wi-Fi in 3 steps

Proper router placement and maintenance, along with tighter security controls, can help IT departments improve network speed and boost Wi-Fi performance. Continue Reading
Feature 01 Mar 2019

5G expansion is coming, but where will operators reap profits?

In this recap of industry blogs, networking pundits examine the profit potential of 5G expansion, responsible use of AI and some top network security developments. Continue Reading
Opinion 27 Dec 2018

6 emerging trends in wireless networking technology for 2019

In 2019, expect to see some interesting trends in wireless networking technology, including a surge in millimeter waves, the budding potential for end-to-end network analytics and, of course, the ongoing development of 5G services. Continue Reading
Tip 08 Oct 2018

Plan for the future of 5G in the enterprise

5G networks will bring speed and reduced latency to mobile business users that can take advantage of it. Get prepared for other changes that 5G will bring to the enterprise. Continue Reading
Feature 05 Jul 2018

Cradlepoint router boosts network flexibility for dance group

Connecting an audience to the motion and music of a dance production takes more than dance and musical skills. For one professor, it required network flexibility and the Cradlepoint AER2100 router. Continue Reading
Feature 26 Mar 2018

Iridium Next satellites to bring broadband IoT to every corner of the globe

The Iridium Next satellites have helped the company embrace the IoT explosion, changing its business model objective from cell phone connectivity to satellite IoT. Continue Reading
Answer 19 Mar 2018

Where do mobile users fit in with SD-WAN as a service?

SD-WAN as a service can act as a bridge between mobile users who want to access business apps on the go and network managers who want to manage and secure those users. Continue Reading
News 12 Aug 2015

Google Fiber targets San Antonio for fiber optic cable rollout

Google Fiber plans to lay 4,000 miles of fiber optic cable in the San Antonio area; FCC voted to revise IP transition rules. Continue Reading
Tutorial 14 Aug 2008

WiMAX tutorial

As the WiMAX industry has grown, so has WiMAX hype and confusion. Mobility managers and decision makers have to sort through the hype to facilitate their knowledge and understanding of WiMAX technology. SearchMobileComputing.com asked Paul DeBeasi, senior analyst at the Burton Group, to set the stage for a broad overview of what WiMAX is and how it works. DeBeasi's begins this tutorial by introducing WiMAX technology, applications and terminology. Further sections discuss WiMAX services, performance, security and devices. Continue Reading
Tip 01 Aug 2008

WiMAX devices

WiMAX devices will become more readily available as carriers deploy widespread WiMAX service. Continue Reading
Tip 07 Mar 2008

700 MHz -- Why is it so valuable?

The 700 MHz wireless spectrum auction is causing a lot of excitement, yet the reasons why can be obscure -- Paul DeBeasi explains its importance and how it works. Continue Reading
Tip 24 Sep 2007

Mobile service providers: How to choose the right one

Finding the "right" mobile service provider might be an abstract, theoretical concept, but picking the right one for your organization shouldn't be too difficult. Here, Craig Mathias outlines some key elements to guide you in selecting the right mobile service provider. Continue Reading
Tip 21 May 2007

Mobile data services -- A checklist of considerations

Analyzing and selecting a mobile data service can be a daunting task. This tip provides a checklist of the major factors to consider when evaluating mobile data services (GSM, CDMA and WiMAX). Continue Reading
Tutorial 26 Jun 2006

3G overview

This 3G overview describes the many benefits of 3G wireless technologies. Continue Reading