Hetnets, or heterogeneous networks, have for years been understood as networks that leverage a mix of radio access technologies and architectures to keep mobile users connected. Now, hetnets are evolving to also describe a mix of connected devices, as mobile operators look beyond smartphones and tablets to the “Internet of Things.”
At next week’s HetNet Expo, produced by the wireless infrastructure association PCIA, the IoT is the subject of several keynotes and panels. Other important topics on the agenda include public safety, converged wireless infrastructure, in-building solutions for the midsized enterprise and interpreting the Federal Communications Commission’s 2014 Wireless Infrastructure Order at the state and local levels.
The HetNet Expo kicks off as carriers are taking a closer look than ever at DAS and small cells, and as building owners are investing in cellular solutions to keep their tenants happy.
On the outdoor front, Verizon Wireless is the furthest along among the carriers in terms of actual deployments. Targeted cities include Chicago, San Francisco, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, New York, Columbus, Cleveland, Erie, Pa., and Palo Alto and San Jose, Calif.
Sprint has said it will deploy tens of thousands of small cells, but has not named targeted locations or partners yet, and T-Mobile US is working on license-assisted-access small cells with Nokia.
Speaking of Nokia, the company will present the HetNet Expo’s opening keynote, focusing on how today’s cellular technology is expected to evolve to support the 50 billion interconnected “things” expected by 2025. Later in the day, analyst Iain Gillott of iGR Research will moderate a panel on new revenue streams and business models that will emerge when more things than people are connected.
Other IoT-related themes on the HetNet Expo agenda include mobile health and smart cities. Jon Davis of ExteNet Systems will moderate a panel on complexities facing the health care industry as more hospital beds and health care facilities become connected, and SKS Technologies’ Steven Toteda will moderate a discussion on the role of hetnets in developing smarter cities.
A highlight of this year’s show will be the “Ask the HetNet Experts” panel on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Billed as an “in the weeds” discussion of technical and regulatory challenges, the panel features participants from American Tower, CommScope, Parallel Infrastructure, KGP Logistics, ADRF and SpiderCloud Wireless. The panel will take questions from the audience, and you can start submitting questions now on Twitter by using the #hetnetexperts hashtag.
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