Exploring wireless system outsourcing options

Wireless service providers (WSPs) can offer carrier-based licensed solutions, potentially relieving an organization from capital expenditures and system management responsibility.

Mobile operators have invested heavily in almost every market sector including automobiles, health care, connected devices and streaming services to become vertically integrated and whole-system providers.

The drive for new revenue for WSPs is in mobile data usage for apps and streaming media. WSPs have strong and accessible wireless network infrastructures to offer for the use of apps and streaming.

WSPs desire to expand their outside network to inside the facility. This allows them to capture more users and, hence, revenue. WSPs are willing to look at the individual business cases where they can invest in expanding their coverage onto a campus facility through the use of macrocell base station sites or microcell sites.

These and other technologies allow the WSP to expand its network and handle more traffic and throughput by essentially decentralizing the network. It provides a seamless network from outside to inside for their customer base.

With this type of solution, the WSP can provide the investment in the infrastructure to bring in its system, allowing the health care organization to use its funds internally. It can be a win-win solution for both parties as well as provide a strong and flexible infrastructure for the future.

WSPs propose to supplement the 4G LTE technology radios used on mobile phones to boost their coverage by also using part of the unlicensed band allocated for Wi-Fi, referred to as LTE-U.

The American National Standards Institute/Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) provides specific recommendations related to wireless network planning and building infrastructure design.

For more information, health facilities professionals should refer to TIA Technical System Bulletin (TSB) 162A “Telecommunications Cabling Guidelines for Wireless Access Points,” TIA-1179 "Healthcare Facility Telecommunications Infrastructure" and TIA TSB-5018 "Structured Cabling Infrastructure Guidelines to Support Distributed Antenna System."