Carrier Wi-Fi has been too clunky for subscribers to fully embrace, despite usually offering a faster connection than 3G, Kozup said. That's because subscribers have to find the right Wi-Fi network, initiate the connection and potentially enter a credit card number and/or a password.
Cisco's new Aironet 1550 AP uses a wireless device's native SIM credentials by supporting 802.11u, a standard designed to improve network discovery and selection on wireless devices.
The APs also support 802.11i encryption. The handoff from 3G to Wi-Fi occurs in the background when the subscriber comes within range of a carrier's hotspot, and MSAP connects the subscriber to retail applications that push coupons or store information, Kozup said.
Cisco is working with handset manufacturers to provide support for these features, he said. Samsung announced at Mobile World Congress that its new Galaxy S II and Galaxy Tab devices will support Cisco's carrier Wi-Fi portfolio.
"You've gone from a three-step process for the user to a transparent activity the user no longer has to interface with," Kozup said.
Alcatel-Lucent also announced four new additions to its 3G small cells portfolio at Mobile World Congress last week, highlighting the devices' open application programming interface (API) for service providers to enable mobile presence- and location-based services.
Jessica Scarpati is a news writer at SearchTelecom.com
This article originally appeared on SearchTelecom