GEC NEWS WIRERuckus has always been a pioneer in the wireless infrastructure market. Muetassem Raslan, Regional Sales Manager MENA in a conversation with Enterprise Channels MEA tells how, Ruckus is enabling carriers and enterprises to stay ahead of the exploding demand for high-bandwidth applications and services.
“The Ruckus Smart Wi-Fi technology continues to redefine what’s possible in wireless network performance with flexibility, reliability, and affordability”
Muetassem Raslan, Regional Sales Manager MENA
How are your next-generation 802.11ac routers better off than the competitors in this domain?
Our Ruckus WLAN systems bring power and simplicity together for large-scale indoor deployments along with all the requisite capabilities demanded. What’s more, Ruckus WLAN solutions combine one of the best centrally managed WLANs with excellent advances in intelligent RF routing and Smart Wi-Fi meshing. The end result? One of the best value for money WLAN products and technology:
802.11ac Capable Access Points, the ZoneFlex Indoor R700 boasts 802.11ac with three stream MIMO, Dual Band support, adaptive antennas and automatic interference mitigation.
the Outdoor T300 and T301 both support high-density, outdoor environments, with the main difference being the T300 uses an Omnidirectional beam while the T301 has a 30 degree wide beam, enabling better coverage of a smaller area.
The 802.11ac line holds promise for solid growth, so surely other enterprise-class access point vendors might start producing their own versions of this concept. Keeping this in consideration, what other plans do you have up your sleeve to make the most of this unique business advantage?
Ruckus has always been a pioneer in the wireless infrastructure market, enabling carriers and enterprises to stay ahead of the exploding demand for high-bandwidth applications and services. The Ruckus Smart Wi-Fi technology continues to redefine what’s possible in wireless network performance with flexibility, reliability, and affordability. We have a number of exciting news announcements and product launches in the pipeline. We are certain that these projections could not only be the next step in Wi-Fi solutions but also prove to be industry trendsetters.
How has Ruckus evolved to match pace with the emerging global trends such as the Internet of Things, the explosion of mobile devices and digital business transformations?
Evolving global trends such as the Internet of Things (IoT), the mobile devices boom and digital business transformations are offering new opportunities to solution providers like Ruckus Wireless to grow their business.
According to IDC, sales for 802.11ac, the new emerging WLAN standard, will top $4.6 billion by 2017, while IoT connectivity will also peak as IDC predicts the installed base of IoT units to grow from 9.1 billion in 2013 to 28.1 billion in 2020.
For us, this has only prompted us to innovate in the area of adaptive Wi-Fi technology, which we call Smart Wi-Fi that improves the range, reliability and performance of Wi-Fi networks within highly dense and noisy environments like urban areas.
Recently we deployed Smart Wi-Fi wireless network Ruckus ZoneFlex R710 Access Point (AP), which is based on Wave 2 features of the 802.11ac standard at the annual Interop Las Vegas show. We had announced that the new Smart Wi-Fi is the world’s first Wi-Fi AP based on Wave 2 features of the 802.11ac standard.
Moreover, we also highlighted that the 710 is capable of providing the highest performance Smart Wi-Fi access point, Wi-Fi monetisation with IoT technologies, and increased device density.
Smarter cities with smarter WiFi- how’s Ruckus living up to it? Could you share some major success stories in the region?
Smart cities require the ability to connect users and devices to the Internet at all times, whether stationary or mobile. Consequently a mix of mobile technologies from 3G or 4G cellular to high speed Wi-Fi with the ability to move easily between networks is essential. Technologies such as HotSpot 2.0 enable people to roam securely and easily between networks and this should be encouraged.
Ruckus Wireless is the largest provider of carrier Wi-Fi equipment with extensive experience around the world from as far afield as Japan and the UK. One of the main recent achievements in the Middle East market is Ruckus Wireless being the preferred Wi Fi service provider in the region for Accor Group of Hotels. The Ruckus Smart WiFi network infrastructure supports free & premium WiFi availability across leading Accor brands including Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Novotel, Suite Novotel, Mercure, Ibis and Ibis Styles. To date, Accor Hotels has completed deployment of over 800 Ruckus ZoneFlex access points (APs) within these hotels. Being a preferred vendor for Accor Hotels’ wireless networking needs, speaks volumes about the performance, reliability, and quality of Ruckus Wireless’ products that are leading networking technology for the hospitality industry.
Ruckus has also kick-started the industry’s first in-room wireless system to interconnect multiple guest applications over a single in-room access point that also provides multi-function wired service. This innovation provides secure connectivity for a wireless room ambiance and enhanced overall guest experience.
Have there been any new major changes in your channel perspective of late that you would wish to share with us?
Yes, in the Middle East, we have added Westcon as our distributor. This is a significant step for Ruckus Wireless from the channel perspective in the Middle East. At Ruckus Wireless, we constantly strive to look for partners that are not only in alignment with our scope of expertise but also in line with our vertical focus.
Ruckus has been talking about voice over Wi-Fi- tell us more about it. Do you think operators have the capability for this?
Today, as Wi-Fi hot spots increase and mobile operators move to IP-based networks, voice over Wi-Fi is emerging as a viable way for service providers to increase coverage. The main challenge that is associated with voice over Wi-Fi is the need to ensure crystal clear Wi-Fi Calling voice quality in the most challenging Wi-Fi environments. Overall, operators need to constantly work to improve the reliability and quality of Wi-Fi Calling applications, which enables both service providers and enterprises to extract greater value from their Wi-Fi infrastructure.
Would Ruckus be at GITEX 2015? If yes, what are going to be the grand plans we can look forward to?
Yes. For Ruckus Wireless, GITEX Technology Week has been one of the key industry events in the region, and this is a show that we never want to miss.
Ruckus Wireless’ theme at GITEX this year is “Smart Cities and Smart Wifi for Education and Healthcare.”
With the Middle East showing one of the highest smartphone penetration rates worldwide, and the smart city initiatives growing in the region, Ruckus Wireless has the solutions to respond to the demand for faster, more reliable smart Wi-Fi technologies.
Moreover, Ruckus will also be highlighting its achievements of 2014-2015, including Wave 2 (R710), its recent partnership with Juniper, industry leader in innovation and its significance, among others. Ruckus also intends to demonstrate how its recent projects have been in unison with regional initiatives such as the ‘smart cities’ concept and also how Ruckus has been going from strength to strength in its performance across main verticals such as Education, Hospitality and Healthcare in the region.
