4G WAN is the latest network craze which allows businesses to set up a short-term network anywhere using the fastest cellular speeds.
In the past, the task of setting up a wide area network (WAN) would have come with a lengthy timescale. Network carriers or IT might have hindered your company moving on a new project, event or business expansion, potentially causing long delays. Then, along comes 4G WAN – a quick, reliable and user-friendly way of establishing a short-term network virtually anywhere – all in a neat box. The subject is quite big, so we’ve broken it down for you.
A 4G WAN uses mobile data to create a high-speed network. This is achieved by using multiple 4G capable SIM cards in a specialised router. Ordinarily, these SIM cards would be from a mix of carriers – the router technology ‘bonds’ the SIMs together to create a single data connection.
That connection can link, via the internet, to your company network – creating an additional fully-connected site in a fraction of the traditional circuit lead time.
Different SIMs and carriers are used to ensure your data does not congest one provider’s network. The use of multi-carriers also means that you’re not exposed to the possibility of reduced speed or network loss should any one provider have technical issues.
Where bonding creates one connection, ‘load balancing’ can be used across your 4G WAN to distribute traffic across a number of individual connections. As a result, you do not need a specialist hub at your data centre to interpret the information that is transmitted.
Most providers will suggest ‘bonding’ multiple SIMs to create one connection to your network – this offers increased reliability, as any lost data packets can be immediately retransmitted if one channel experiences an issue. However, load balancing is an option when you’re primarily accessing internet based applications that don’t require high speed access and aren’t sensitive to lost data packets.
Latency is the time it takes for a packet of data to be transmitted and returned from a destination on a network. Networks calibrate their speed based on the time it takes to perform this task – so keeping latency to a minimum is important to the overall network performance.
Latency over a 4G WAN is greater than that of a network that relies on wired ethernet connections – as such, it’s important to be aware of applications that are sensitive to the increased latency. While most applications deliver flawless end-user experience even with lost packets, some real-time applications can suffer.
Although installation varies based on need, a standard bonded set up would look like this:
In many cases, 4G WAN is being used because speed is of the essence. For that reason, drawing on the experience of a managed network provider like SAS Global Communications means your company removes any unforeseen technical installation hold-ups.
Although every organisation’s requirements differ, 4G WAN is generally used when one of the following scenarios presents:
Mobile deployment – If you have an engineer or employee working from a vehicle it can be helpful to have that vehicle integrated into your network. 4G WAN means there is little or no difference between deployment of WAN into a car, van, boat or rail installation – compared to that of a fixed address location.
Temporary business location – If your business operates from client or temporary locations, being able to deploy quick 4G WAN can be the difference between winning the business or not. Are you a construction firm? Exhibitor or expo organiser? Do you facilitate festivals? If you’re only going to be on location for a short period of time, the lead times associated with traditional network set ups can make logistics entirely unfeasible.
Difficult business locations – There are instances when companies need to access locations that are virtually impossible for traditional providers to access. 4G WAN set ups are proving invaluable in mining, exploration, construction and maritime organisations. This is especially the case when networked security devices are important.
Lengthy circuit installations – If you’re setting up a new location, time can be of the essence – even if you’re planning on being in that bricks-and-mortar location for a long time. Setting any business commencement date can be dangerous when you’re dealing with the often-moving timescales associated with a hard-wired installation – especially when you have to factor in physical environment adjustments and construction. Many companies choose a short-term 4G WAN solution to ensure a new location is opened on their timescales – not those set by a carrier.
Backup circuits and disaster recovery – If a business uses cloud based applications and storage, having a 4G WAN disaster recovery set-up can be the difference between continuing to operate or otherwise. There are some options depending on business requirements:
If you recognise your business model in any of the above situations the answer could be ‘yes’. Importantly, you can ask company-wide questions that relate to network use:
Again, if the answer to any of these questions is yes, look to begin by discussing your requirements with an experienced managed provider who’ll work to understand how your business can make the most of 4G WAN.