AWWA IMT61455

Many utility organizations have embraced wireless mobile communications to extend enterprise applications to their "field forces" and are realizing concrete Return-On-Investment (ROI) through productivity increases and improved customer satisfaction. Benefits of broadband mobile access include: similar or lower prices compared to current 3G services, improved user experience and productivity, extension of mobile access to enterprise desktop applications in addition to standard field-centric applications, and significant reduction in costs needed to support the mobile infrastructure through elimination of middleware, application customization, and intensive IT support. This paper provides: a comparison of past, current, and future wireless technologies, speeds, and user costs; current mobile broadband technology examples with real-world deployments; a case history of a broadband mobile wireless pilot by a leading U.S. utility; industry predictions for the growth of broadband mobile communications; and, steps to take to plan, justify, and deploy megabit broadband mobile communications for your organization. Includes tables.