Evaluating Wireless Broadband Gateways for Service Providers

This case study evaluates the performance of wireless broadband gateways (WBS) for a leading service provider offering voice, video, and data services. The provider aimed to enhance customer satisfaction by qualifying WBS from two vendors using Ixia’s IxVeriWave Wi-Fi test systems. Testing focused on assessing the quality of experience (QoE) under real-world conditions, including throughput, packet loss, and latency. The study outlines the testing methodology, which included various performance tests such as Packet Throughput, Packet Latency, and WiMix Enterprise tests. Results indicated that both WBS options required significant improvements to meet performance targets for voice and video applications. The findings highlighted the necessity of optimizing gateway performance to ensure high-quality service delivery and customer satisfaction. Additionally, the case study discusses the implications of the test results for future deployments and the importance of automated testing in evaluating firmware updates and overall system performance.