Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn about trends in the wireless infrastructure network through white papers

White papers can cover the latest wireless telecommunications infrastructure news and trends. For example, you may want to read the latest on cell phone towers. The white paper may focus on issues that wireless companies face when setting up cellular towers. Then, it'll discuss the wireless infrastructure companies that are involved in this venture. You may also find out how much money the companies are investing in the project.

I recommend: TechRepublic provides white papers on wireless infrastructure services. Here, you can read about wireless coverage planning and resource reservation. TechTarget also provides white papers on wireless telecommunications infrastructure.

Read and participate in blogs to get the latest on wireless infrastructure

Blogs also are great resources for up-to-date information on the wireless infrastructure industry. One of the great things about blogs is that bloggers will discuss subjects or articles in greater depth. In addition, you can read what's on the minds of other users. As a result, you might pick up additional information you wouldn't get by reading news websites. Blogs also provide links to other stories on the industry, such as recent rulings by FCC.

I recommend: The Wireless Infrastructure Blog covers a wide range of subjects that involve the wireless infrastructure industry. Toolbox also offers current news in the wireless industry, including wireless security.

Discover current news through a wireless telecom infrastructure professional association

If you're not a member of a wireless infrastructure professional association, you should consider joining one. Besides the association providing the latest news on the wireless telecommunications infrastructure, you'll be able to find out information on conferences, seminars, or even classes. The association might even provide keynote speaker's notes or presentations to study

I recommend: PCIA The Wireless Infrastructure Association provides news on the wireless telecom infrastructure industry. Since you’re a wireless network professional, you can network with other professionals. IEEE is also another organization you’ll want to check out. IEEE develops standards for the wireless industry.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  For additional wireless telecom infrastructure news, check with the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission.

Guide to Wireless Telecommunications Infrastructure

Increase financial productivity and efficiency by setting up a wireless telecommunications infrastructure for your business

By Rachel Davy, Writer/Editor

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Set up your own wireless infrastructure network for a home based or small office

For home based or smaller business, this is the easiest and most cost effective way to have a wireless telecom infrastructure. You'll need the necessary equipment such as a wireless router with built-in points for all of your wireless connections. If your computers aren't already set up for wireless telecommunications then you can update them with network adapters.

I recommend: Cisco Systems, Inc. and DLink offer everything you need from wireless routers to network adapters at a reasonable price for home or small office businesses. Dell Home Office offers wireless desktops and laptops, as well as keyboards and network bundles to help you set your wireless telecommunications infrastructure network at price to fit into your budget.

Work with wireless infrastructure companies to create your network

There are many companies in the wireless infrastructure industry who specialize in creating customized wireless networks at a reasonable cost for larger businesses. Most also offer technical support if any problems with your network should arise.

I recommend: Intel Corporation and Protocol Networks are two of the best companies who specialize in creating customized wireless telecommunications infrastructure networks. Both of these companies also help their clients find the best possible set up to meet whatever requirements are necessary.

Troubleshoot wireless telecom infrastructure or network issues

If you've hired a company to set up your wireless infrastructure network then you can call them to help you out, but if you've set up your network yourself then learning how to take care of issues yourself is necessary to your productivity and expenses.

I recommend: Pure Networks, Inc has software that you can download that is able to diagnose wireless infrastructure network problems and offer solutions to fixing them. Windows Networking.com offers many articles, FAQ's as well as step by step tutorials to help you diagnose and fix any problems which may occur.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Learn as much as you can about wireless equipment and set up costs before hiring wireless infrastructure companies or purchasing equipment. Look for deals on equipment, but make sure the equipment you buy is up to date with today's technology requirements.
• •  Technology such as cell balloons can extend the abilities of cell phone towers or wireless towers to cover more territory than ever before which increases your ability to reach new customers and businesses around the globe.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find seminars or weekend courses for cellular towers and other wireless infrastructure networks

Seminars and weekend courses are normally the most favored courses for employers. These courses provide a vast amount of training in a short amount of time. Seminars, weekend courses and boot camps are generally held on the weekend so it does not interfere with the employee's normal work schedule.

I recommend: Visit Eogogics to hire a trainer come to your business for two to four days and conduct classes about wireless telecom infrastructure. Find wireless infrastructure seminars at Teracom Training Institute. Locate a variety of DoceoTech seminars and boot camps that last from one to five days.

Attend a college or university for wireless telecommunications infrastructure classes

Colleges and universities provide comprehensive courses about wireless infrastructure, however they normally last an entire semester. If employees are able to take classes at night this may be an option for your business.

I recommend: Review a list of colleges that offer wireless telecommunications infrastructure courses at Guide to Career Education. Visit Search 4 Career Colleges to find a variety of colleges near you that specialize in wireless infrastructure services.

Locate online courses about wireless telecom infrastructure

Online courses are the most flexible of the training mediums. These courses are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can train employees one to two hours a day or set aside an entire for employees to complete the training.

I recommend: Find a variety of online schools that teach about wireless infrastructure network and the wireless infrastructure industry at World Wide Learn. Training-Classes.com offers cell phone towers safety classes and other courses focused on wireless telecom infrastructure. The Wireless Developer Network provides online training courses for wireless infrastructure companies.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Providing wireless infrastructure network training for employees is often a risky business, because you can pay for the employee to train and once they are trained, they quit on you. Some companies pay half the training or reimburse the training after three months to avoid such situations.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Wireless LAN, WLAN

A wireless LAN (local area network) refers to a network of two or more computers that communicate together wirelessly with each other and to the Internet. All computers on a wireless LAN share an Internet connection.

I recommend: Wise Geek discusses wireless LAN in more detail.

Wireless WAN, WWAN

A wireless WAN (wide area network) allows for network access and Internet connection through a much wider range than a wireless LAN. Wireless WANs usually connect your computer to the Internet via cellular broadband technology.

I recommend: PCMag.com defines wireless WAN.

Wi-Fi, WIFI

Wi-Fi, (wireless fidelity), allows for Internet access wirelessly. As long as you are within the range of a hotspot (a public place where a wireless network signal is found) or your Wi-Fi router in your business, your computer or PDA can connect to the Internet through Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi technology can extend wired networks and allow mobile devices access to your network.

I recommend: WiFi Alliance discusses the how and why of Wi-Fi.

WiMax

WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is a wireless WAN technology that allows for high speed Internet access through a wide range. Like cellular technology, WiMax uses towers to broadcast network signals at a wide range. As long as your computer or PDA is within the coverage area of a WiMax tower, your device can access the Internet. WiMax is considered an extender of Wi-Fi technology in that it offers a broader reach for wireless network access.

I recommend: Intel provides more information about WiMax.

LTE, long term evolution

Long term evolution is another wireless WAN technology that provides high speed Internet service wirelessly. As long as you are in an LTE coverage area, you can be connected to the Internet. LTE is considered to be the competitor to WiMax.

I recommend: 4Ginfo.com explains LTE in more detail.

4G

4G refers to the fourth generation of wireless technology. It is a wireless technology that offers faster speed, less interference and improved security. Both WiMax and LTE are considered 4G technologies.

I recommend: Network World provides a detailed description of 4G.