Remember when 3G and 4G connections were ‘second rate’? When cell phone calls frequently dropped or you had dead spots in most remote areas, or even in your living room? What about Verizon’s old ‘can you hear me now?’ ads? Generation Zers and millennials may not recall, but thanks to Youtube they can still get a glimpse into what it was like!

Expecting cell phones and then smartphones to ‘just work’ no matter what is a relatively new phenomenon. But, boy, has it caught on since. Today, 4G LTE wireless brings faster media streaming, even video calls and content, and the ability to support business-critical cloud apps of all kinds, including voice and collaboration tools and VPNs. 4G LTE solutions are ideal for both temporary and permanent connectivity and also for backup to primary Wide Area Network (WAN) connections.

Why 4G LTE?

4G LTE technology works by connecting to the internet via a cellular signal. 4G is ideally suited for all kinds of verticals, industries, and internet needs – such as internet access at a tradeshow, a temporary construction site, retail locations, food trucks, emergency vehicles, or for branch offices. In other words, whenever businesses are looking to stay agile and keep costs down from MPLS-only WAN links, 4G LTE offers game-changing advantages.

• Added flexibility – Fully integrated enterprise-grade modems make 4G LTE  easy to set up and bring reliable, high-capacity networks almost anywhere.
• Deploying at multiple locations – Unlike wired connections that can take months to set up, 4G LTE wireless connections are available almost immediately, with little on-site set up required. Enterprise-grade 4G LTE routers also offer cloud-based management, making it simple to maintain devices remotely. After plugging in a 4G LTE router, remote network administrators can view and adjust network configurations and settings as needed.
• ‘Cutting the wire’ –  Most 4G LTE routers use dual-modem technology so they can work with multiple carriers’ 3G or 4G LTE networks without additional configuration.

For companies looking for the bandwidth to get people, places, and things securely and reliably connected to the internet, 4G LTE is a welcome alternative to conventional wired connectivity. But with the stakes so high and a growing number of cloud-based apps waiting in the wings – from Point-of-Sale systems, employee applications, digital signage, connected devices, and much more – how can companies be confident they’ll find the right 4G LTE provider?

It starts with asking smart and tough questions of 4G LTE partners. Begin here. 

1. How long will it take? Getting wired circuits installed at new locations has always been a difficult process. It’s not uncommon for T1 lines to take six weeks to install, or even years for a fiber connection to get ‘built out.’ Being at the mercy of  ISPs’ timetables is stressful, to say the least. Luckily 4G LTE changes everything. Enterprise-grade 4G LTE providers should be able to provide ‘Day One’ internet access for companies – whether businesses are relocating, starting a new construction project, or launching a pop-up retail location. Don’t expect – or tolerate- less than fast, reliable installation and service.
2. What about bandwidth speeds? Average 4G LTE internet download speeds are between 25 – 26 Mbps and upload speeds of 11 – 12 Mbps, which is pretty great. But, it’s also possible to get even faster speeds by bonding multiple connections. Hardware and software-based 4G cellular bonding can bring faster internet speeds if needed.
3. What about Software-defined WANs (SD-WANs)?  SD-WAN is a technology that intelligently load-balances multiple internet connections – DSL, cable, Ethernet, and 4G LTE to find the optimal route available for application traffic. Admins set traffic routing policies based on QoS requirements and other factors. With these capabilities, it’s hard to find a case against having SD-WAN and 4G LTE connectivity for either a primary or backup internet. Make sure your potential technology partner has 4G LTE and SD-WAN capabilities. 

The future is now

Today is a fantastic time. It’s entirely possible to leverage 4G LTE internet service and have more than sufficient bandwidth to run virtually all business applications, either as a backup or primary connection. What could be better? Take time to understand the full capabilities of 4G LTE and to find the right technology partner, not only will it optimize technology usage across the business, but companies can also add money to the bottom line.