Cellular broadband is faster and more pervasive than ever before — which is great news for the wide area network (WAN). Based on 4G LTE and 5G technology, Wireless WAN is when an organization uses public or private cellular routers or adapters as WAN infrastructure. It’s the new wave of network transformation — enabling connectivity to people, places, and things anywhere with greater simplicity, agility, and security.
Cellular wireless has always been ideal for failover and connecting critical assets in places wires can’t go, such as in vehicles, field forces, and IoT. However, today’s cellular networks are more pervasive and getting faster with the deployment of Gigabit-Class LTE and 5G. With flat-rate pricing beginning to eliminate overage anxiety, Wireless WAN is becoming the preferred broadband connectivity for branches, stores, and other fixed sites — the last exclusive domain of wired networks. In fact, the percentage of organizations that use 4G/5G for Wireless WAN increased from 41% of respondents in 2018 to 67% in 2021, according to IDG survey results in the State of Wireless WAN 2022 Report.
Demand for Wireless WAN routers and adapters with Cellular Intelligence is growing dramatically as organizations expand beyond fixed locations, and as connected fleet vehicles and IoT devices explode in number.
GAIL’s Bakery has more than 120 UK locations that rely on various connected technologies to improve customer experience and operational efficiency. Network downtime isn’t an option, as even a few minutes without access to credit card devices and other key digital tools costs thousands of dollars.
GAIL’s uses cellular-enabled hybrid WAN routers in its bakeries, with wired broadband as the primary WAN link and 5G providing reliable failover. Deploying new 5G routers is quick and relatively hassle-free through Ericsson NetCloud Manager. GAIL’s can roll out services and create a secure, robust Wireless WAN immediately, even before wired services from local providers are available.
Explore success storyIn Cheyenne, the capital of Wyoming, it can be difficult to provide reliable connectivity for the city government’s widely spread offices. In more remote locations, legacy solutions like point-to-point radios and DSL were unreliable and expensive, especially in remote areas. Plus, ensuring network security commensurate with today’s heightened threat level can be hard to manage.
The City of Cheyenne uses Ericsson Cradlepoint cellular routers with NetCloud Secure Connect to create a zero trust network for secure, reliable Wireless WAN connectivity. Most of the offices utilize cellular as the primary connection, while some are using wired links for primary and cellular for failover. The solution has helped the city achieve substantial cost savings, reduce downtime, and protect against high-impact data breaches.
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Subway franchisee DiPasqua Enterprises has more than 100 locations, with plans to continue diversifying its franchise portfolio. This rapid expansion required a solution refresh to accommodate the networking needs of widespread locations — but without increasing total operational costs.
DiPasqua implemented Ericsson Cradlepoint cellular-enabled hybrid WAN routers in each of its restaurants. For locations implementing cellular as their only WAN link, dual modems ensure cellular connectivity based on the best available connection. Other locations are supported by a multi-WAN mix of 5G, LTE, and wired links. This Subway franchisee saved 20% in operational expenses by consolidating devices and subscriptions, and future-proofing its network solutions.
Explore success storyCellular-based connectivity goes farther faster than many types of wired connections – especially since the arrival of 5G. These fiber-like speeds help accelerate innovation and expansion of all types of business.
Accurate data collection for a fleet’s on-board technologies and applications requires fast and reliable connectivity. Seattle Transit implemented Wireless WAN routers to ensure the collection of real-time metrics – including GPS and AVL information.
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From buildings and vehicles to IoT devices and staff, enterprise networks can grow incredibly fast. Cellular networks are designed to support millions of routers and adapters across a seamless nationwide footprint.
The Valvoline Instant Oil Change locations run by franchisee Henley Enterprises implemented all-in-one hybrid WAN routers at their location to ensure reliable connectivity to support customers nationwide – diminishing downtime and improving efficiency.
Explore success storyGain flexibility and nonstop reliability in your fixed and temporary sites, branch offices, and stores by deploying LTE or 5G as primary or failover connectivity through centrally managed wireless edge solutions.
Gain flexibility and nonstop reliability in your fixed and temporary sites, branch offices, and stores by deploying LTE or 5G as primary or failover connectivity through centrally managed wireless edge solutions.
Deliver enterprise-grade connectivity — including LTE, 5G, and Wi-Fi — and security throughout your fleet with mobile solutions built for vehicles that can be managed from anywhere.
Deliver enterprise-grade connectivity — including LTE, 5G, and Wi-Fi — and security throughout your fleet with mobile solutions built for vehicles that can be managed from anywhere.
Connect, protect, and centrally manage every "thing" your company needs by leveraging purpose-built wireless edge solutions for loT.
Connect, protect, and centrally manage every "thing" your company needs by leveraging purpose-built wireless edge solutions for loT.
Equip your organization’s remote employees with secure, high-performance SOHO routers to work from home, and enable your IT team to manage it all from headquarters or elsewhere.
Equip your organization’s remote employees with secure, high-performance SOHO routers to work from home, and enable your IT team to manage it all from headquarters or elsewhere.
5G for business certainly isn't "one size fits all." Variations in use cases, spectrum, and network operators abound. Find the 5G wireless networking experience best-suited for your stores, offices, vehicles, and beyond.
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