Wireless Network Design for Dummies? Not Likely

By Elliott Drucker, Wireless Week

In the next few years, you can expect a number of major wireless network initiatives to launch in the United States. Judging from the buzz surrounding the upcoming AWS spectrum auction, some initiatives possibly will be undertaken by large and successful "new economy" companies that are newcomers to the wireless arena. Others will probably involve the use of unlicensed spectrum to deliver urban broadband services through Wi-Fi or WiMAX technologies.

But regardless of spectrum used or services intended, the various enterprises involved with design and deployment of new wireless networks are almost certain to find that the tasks are a lot harder, more time consuming and more expensive than anticipated. And this will be particularly problematic because most new networks will aim to provide service at cost points below what incumbent wireless providers charge. That business model will not succeed if a capital-intensive network deployment fails to achieve coverage and capacity goals.

This continues... in the Source