When setting up your video conferencing or network system, you want to strive for the highest level of convenience possible. This involves using both the best type of equipment you can afford, while also considering the ideal method of connectivity. Wireless systems have gotten a great deal of attention in recent years, and for good reason. With no wires to worry about, you do not have to hassle over making physical connections. But it becomes all the more important that the system works well, since your entire functionality depends on this.

ADVANTAGES OF WIRELESS SYSTEMS

The best advantage to having a completely wireless system is that you do not have to depend upon connections working properly or faulty cables when you are setting it up. It is also fairly easy to install, as long as you are aware of the technical specifications necessary on the wireless system you are running. Once installed, a wireless system is pretty much a “no brainer,” and allows multiple connections to your teleconferencing system. In addition, it allows mobile users to connect seamlessly, from the video conference room, or from miles away. It virtually brings everyone together in a very short period of time using some of the most sophisticated technology available today.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

The greatest thing about setting up a completely wireless network is the portability and versatility. It allows not only traveling users to connect “on the go,” but also supports all of the higher end media transmissions in multiple formats, such as audio, video, and data. Wireless connections enable you to collaborate across the globe and expands your capabilities from a small conference room to the rest of the globe in record time. The best setup for wireless video conferencing is generally considered to be a wireless 802.11 a/b/g/n network. With this protocol, you can achieve transmission speeds of up to 108 Mbps and it allows multiple media formats to be shared across the network.

WHAT IS THE STANDARD?

The standard for wireless network conferencing is H.323, the ITU standard for wireless networks for business purposes.

OTHER WIRELESS SETUPS

The other way you may use to connect to a wireless teleconferencing system is through a mobile network, such as 3G/4G mobile and public WiFi Hotspots. These are both readily available forms of wireless network access which works seamlessly with Smartphones and Tablets. It is convenient to use this protocol for such video conferencing setups due to the fact that there is sufficient bandwidth to enable multipoint IP-based audio and video conferencing to existing H.323 video systems. These are usually used with the next generation Gateways and MCU’s.

WHY 4G?

If you are going to utilize such a mobile network for your video conferencing setup, it is important that you utilize the 4G network. This is due to the much faster speed available from 4G that you cannot get with the earlier 3G-324M systems. Using 4G may exclude some users using devices which are still under the 3G module, but you will gain more than you lose by choosing the faster network. H.323 is the ITU standard for video call conferencing across 3G/4G mobile data networks, as it is with the other methods.

POTENTIAL PROBLEMS

While it would be ideal to invest in a completely wireless system, there are some potential issues too. You need your system to be free of problems when you set it up and you must be able to depend on it when you are in actual conference calls.
One issue is the quality of the network connection. Even when you use one of the recommended methods for connectivity, you need to troubleshoot your network for potential problems in the initial connection, as well as issues regarding staying connected. If you have an important client on the line, the last thing you want to do is to lose the signal when you are involved in a discussion.

EQUIPMENT ISSUES

Another potential wrench in the works is the quality of equipment. Even if all of the network issues are running smoothly, without the proper equipment, your system can fail when you need it most. Start with a reliable product for your networking setup, such as Polycom system technologies or Blue Jeans Network, which focuses on high quality hardware that will work with your completely wireless system flawlessly. If you start with the best hardware first, the rest will be easy.