Sprint’s wireless WAN solution uses the Cisco 3G Wireless WAN High-Speed WAN Interface Card (HWIC), with access via the Sprint EV-DO Rev A high-speed wireless data network. The HWIC is also backwards-compatible with Rev 0 and 1xRTT networks allowing (slower) access in areas where Rev A is not yet available.  

Companies can use the card with their Cisco Integrated Services Routers (ISR) to connect an IP/MPLS enterprise network to mobile users through a Sprint managed service.

The joint development of this solution indicates Cisco’s strategic move into the mobile carrier space and the increasing important of IP/MPLS networks to carriers like Sprint. Rather than competing directly with wireless base station vendors, Cisco is entering this market from the core network and router side, leveraging its strength in IP networks.

The solution gives enterprises the ability to deploy a wireless WAN that extends their existing IP/MPLS network with diverse wireless/wireline network paths. What’s more, Sprint is offering a managed services for those that don’t want to deal with the implementation and ongoing monitoring of the wireless WAN.

Nemertes sees the following impacts:

For enterprises: IT decision-makers should evaluate their mobility strategy as an extension of their overall network strategy. They should consider using MPLS for branch office, data center, and now wireless connectivity. And they should consider wireless WAN as another option for business continuity.

For vendors: Rapid convergence between wireless and wireline means that IP/MPLS will become the dominant model for network connectivity. Vendors should design products that can be integrated into an existing IP/MPLS network.

For investors: Wireless infrastructure used to be almost completely separate from the core IP networks. As the two converge there will be more winners in the IP world.