Intelligent CIO Middle East Issue 03 | Page 62

INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Mobile Technology Increase in range of mobility applications for 2016 As we approach the end of 2015, Manish Bhardwaj, Sr. Marketing Manager, Middle East & Turkey at Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company, gives an insight into the mobility and networking trends that will shape the industry in the Middle East in 2016. T he advantages and challenges of BYOD go hand-in-hand Wi-Fi Calling: iPhones already support Wi-Fi calling and 2016 will be the year that Wi-Fi calling is widely deployed. Carriers will begin building out their infrastructures globally and we’ll see broader adoption for other devices like Android. Aruba/HP’s announcement with Ericsson this year to deliver Wi-Fi and LTE solutions for customers is just one example of progress in this area. Stadium Wi-Fi: Public venues began rolling out Wi-Fi networks and delivering new services to guests and attendees in 2015. Now that 802.11ac Wave 2 has hit the market, in 2016 we’ll see many more stadiums and arenas deploy and upgrade their networks to handle the significant device density challenges these 62 INTELLIGENTCIO ‘NOW THAT 802.11AC WAVE 2 HAS HIT THE MARKET, IN 2016 WE’LL SEE MANY MORE STADIUMS AND ARENAS DEPLOY AND UPGRADE THEIR NETWORKS TO HANDLE THE SIGNIFICANT DEVICE DENSITY CHALLENGES THESE VENUES FACE.’ Automating the connection of mobile devices: In 2016, educational institutions will continue to expand BYOD, 1-to-1 and 1-to-many initiatives, drastically raising the number of mobile devices connecting to the network. With lean IT staffs and new curriculum that increasingly utilizes educational technology resources, schools need to be able to quickly and easily onboard these devices and provide them with secure access to the appropriate network resources. Demand for automated onboarding solutions will grow in 2016. venues face. In addition, many public venues leverage their infrastructure for mobile engagement – adding beacons and mobil H\