LTE-Advanced and IEEE 802.11ac: A new network architecture and opportunity for higher-education institutions. Issue 4 (3rd August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Samuel C.; Winter, Peter
• Is Part Of: International journal of information and learning technology. Volume 32:Issue 4(2015)
• Page Start: 221
• Page End: 234
• Publication Date: 2015-08-03
• Subjects: Mobile communications -- Local area networks -- Mobile work -- Mobile communication systems -- Wireless technology -- Wide area networks -- Wireless wide-area networks (WWANs) -- LTE-Advanced -- LTE -- Wireless local-area networks (WLANs) -- IEEE 802.11 -- Wi-Fi; Education, Higher -- Data processing -- Periodicals; Education, Higher -- Computer networks -- Periodicals; Education, Higher -- Information technology -- Periodicals; 378.00285
• DOI: 10.1108/IJILT-04-2013-0016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2056-4880

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: – Mobile data traffic globally is increasing rapidly in both enterprise and consumer segments. The purpose of this paper is to identify a new network architecture and opportunity that support ubiquitous mobile work for higher-education institutions. Design/methodology/approach: – It reviews existing literature and enabling technologies and proposes integrating both wide-area Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-Advanced) and local-area IEEE 802.11ac networks for seamless, gigabit-speed services. A decision framework for moving toward such architecture and a cost/benefit analysis are also presented. Findings: – Integrating both LTE-Advanced and IEEE 802.11ac networks for seamless connectivity is technically and organizationally feasible, provided that a higher-education institution has faculty and staff that require locational and interactional mobility. The cost/benefit analysis also shows that moving to the new architecture has potential benefits that can accrue to the higher-education institution. Research limitations/implications: – With the coming availability of these wide-area and local-area gigabit networks, a new architecture that can ubiquitously supports mobile workers may be advantageous to universities and colleges. Originality/value: – To the best of the authors' knowledge, this paper is one of the first that proposes such integrated architecture in the context of higher-education institutions. In addition to the examination of technological issues and proposed architecture, the decision framework, and cost/benefit analysis should be valuable for institutions contemplating the move toward the new architecture and for guiding further research in this area.