Grapes - As a Network Design Engineer working for a Global Telco, I will try and elaborate for you. The Wireless Operators you mentioned, operate GSM EDGE or CDMA 'Access Networks' to support either/and GPRS and HSCSD (High Speed Circuit Switched Data) services on their networks. The PCMCIA card (modem) installed in the laptop effectively establishes either a circuit switched (HSCSD) or packet switched (GPRS) data connection to the Internet
Instead GTE will deploy WiFi Access technology (Hotzone) which is based on the 802.xx suite of standards - this wireless capability is now being built into virtually all mid-range notebook PCs as standard. If you have a wireless LAN at home, then you will know what I mean. Hotzone will be rolled-out in towns and cities (at street level) to provide WiFi 'Access'. Hotzone basestations will also be deployed aboard the Strat to provide 'blanket' coverage over cities and into rural areas. The Strat will also act as the 'backhaul relay' to enable the Hotzone basestations to connect their traffic back to the GTE Superhubs via the Strat. The Strat will probably use WiMAX backhaul over point to point/or meshed laser links to achieve this connectivity to the Superhubs. GTE's Superhubs on the ground are effectively co-located with Internet Points of Presence (PoPs) (the large PTTs e.g British Telecom, AT&T) which are probably co-located with the big fibre operators PoPs (i.e LevelII or Global Crossing). GTE traffic (VoIP/Broadband Internet) will either be connected into the local PTT network via MediaGateways or be backhauled via IP Peering connections to for instance the Centerline Central Office in LA.
So Basically GTE with it's Hotzone, Strat and Superhubs will be able to compete directly with the incumbent Wireless Operators. GTE has the last mile 'Access' connection solution using WiFi for data and voice (Broadband Internet/VoIP) and Dect (Traditonal Wireless Digital 'Fixed line telephony') + they have the MetroAccess and Backhaul solution with the Strat. GTE will also operate it's own 'virtual IP backbone' leasing IP capacity off IP Transit carriers such as LevelIII/Global Crossing or they may even ultimately build their own Fibre IP Backbone in certain territories to negate the need to use existing 'IP Transit' providers such as LevelIII/Global Crossing etc. The only minor fly in the ointment is use of the service while 'on the move'. The Wireless Operators have established standards regarding Mobility Management (HLR/VLR) whereas limited Mobility is supported on WiFi access networks centre around RADIUS functionality - but this should NOT really be construed as a limiting issue. Add to this GTE's capability to support Point-to-Multipoint services - i.e IPTV and can see why the likes of Rupert Murdoch are being forced to sit up straight now GTE has arrived on the block. In addition to this GTE can support SCADA services (for telemetry, paging, machine2machine communication etc), making it without doubt a compelling investment opportunity
Hope this clarifies things for you.
schnizzle - long, strong, patient and relaxed
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