Verizon Wireless using WiFi to offload data traffic for 3G/4G networks

The first shot for the “small cell” battle seemed to have been fired by Verizon Wireless. The operator stated that it would strategically deploy free WiFi hotspots in high traffic areas such as college campuses, hotels, and stadiums. AT&T Wireless and T-Mobile are already using WiFI hot spots to allow subscribers to download data instead of using the 3G network. What may end of up being part of the overall network topology is indoor hotspots that are within outdoor hotzones. The hotzones may require microcells to cove a broad area within a sector of a macro cell coverage site. We believe that WiFI and 3G/4G microcells will co-exist within the network however the management of all of these technologies ro provide a consistent QoS to the mobile subscriber remains a challenge.