1.3 Mobile Device Networks

Cellular Networks

Mobile devices

• “Cell” phones

Separate land into “cells”.

• Antenna covers a cell with certain frequencies.

Enable or disable voice and/or data.

• Airplane mode disables all cellular networks.

• Could also disable data but keep voice.

3G Technology

3rd generation.

• Introduced in 1998

Upgraded data connectivity.

• Incremental 3G updates improved speeds.

• Usually several megabits per second.

Bandwidth improvement allowed new functionality.

• GPS

• Mobile TV

• Video on demand

• Video conferencing

4G and LTE (Long Term Evolution)

A 4G technology.

Based on GSM and EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution).

Standard supports download rates of 150 Mbit/s

LTE Advanced (LTE-A)

• Standard supports download rates of 300 Mbit/s

5G

Fifth generation cellular networking.

• Launched worldwide in 2020

Significant performance improvements.

• At higher frequencies.

• Eventually 10 gigabits per second.

• Slower speeds from 100-900 Mbit/s.

Significant IoT impact.

• Bandwidth becomes less of a constraint.

• Larger data transfers.

• Faster monitoring and notification.

• Additional cloud processing.

WiFi

Connect to a local 802.11 network.

• Data access for email and Internet.

• Higher speeds, no cellular bandwidth use.

Requires a local access point.

• Limited distance coverage.

May also support voice communication.

• WiFi calling.

• Requires support from the voice carrier.

• Very useful when cellular coverage may not be available.

Hotspot

Turn your phone into a personal wireless router, and extend the cellular data network to all your devices.

This is dependent on phone type and provider, and may require additional charges and data costs.

SIM (Subscriber Identity Module)

A unique identifier for cellular devices.

• Often a tiny physical card. When you replace it, the phone gains a new number.

It contains information for both carrier and user.

• SIM ID and phone number.

• Cellular network information.

• Storage space for contacts, messages, etc.

Many devices support multiple SIMs.

eSIM (Embedded SIM)

A SIM inside the device. It cannot be physically removed.

Bluetooth Pairing

Connect a Bluetooth device.

• Built-in security - Use or verify a PIN.

Pair the devices one at a time.

• Future connections should be automatic.

Check with the manufacturer.

Pairing Process

Enable Bluetooth on both devices.

Set devices to discoverable mode.

• May require key sequence on Bluetooth device.

Select discovered device.

• Many devices may appear.

Enter or confirm PIN.

• PIN should be the same on both devices.

Test connectivity.

• Devices should now communicate.

GPS (Global Positioning System)

Created by the US Department of Defense.

• Over 30 satellites currently in orbit.

Precise navigation.

• Need to see at least 4 satellites.

Determines location based on timing differences.

• Longitude, latitude, altitude.

Mobile device location services and geotracking.

• Maps, directions,

• Determine physical location based on GPS, WiFi, and cellular towers.

MDM (Mobile Device Management)

Manage company-owned and user-owned mobile devices.

Central management of the mobile devices.

• Specialized functionality.

Set policies on apps, data, camera, etc.

• Control the remote device.

• The entire device or a “partition”.

Manage access control

• Force screen locks and PINs on these single use devices.

BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)

Employee owns the device

• Needs to meet the company’s requirements.

Difficult to secure

• It’s both a home device and a work device.

• How is data protected?

• What happens to the data when a device is sold or traded in?

COPE (Corporate Owned, Personally Enabled)

Company buys the device, and it is used as both a corporate and personal device.

Organization keeps full control of the device.

• Similar to company-owned laptops and desktops.

Information is protected using corporate policies.

• Information can be deleted at any time.

CYOD - Choose your own device.

• Similar to COPE, but with the user’s choice of device.

MDM Policy Enforcement

Corporate Email configuration

• User does not need to configure anything.

• The MDM makes the changes on the device.

• Account details, server address, communication method.

Multi-Factor Authentication

Corporate applications

• Allow or restrict app installation.

• Prevent unauthorized app usage.

Two-Factor Authentication

Require specific authentication types.

Biometrics, pseudo-random authentication app.

Mobile Device Synchronization

Many settings are preconfigured.

• Telephone / Text messaging

Email

• Everyone handles email services differently.

• Corporate email configurations can vary.

Data synchronization

• Based on data rates and speeds.

• Important for backup and recovery.

Synchronizing Data

Data types

• Calendar and contacts

Data caps and transfer costs.

• May have significant financial consequences.

• Cellular/mobile vs 802.11

Verify data restrictions with wireless carrier.

• Get it in writing.

Enable or disable network connections.

• Control the use of cellular downloads.

Business Applications

Mail, cloud storage, etc.

• Many different services available.

Authenticate

• Username, password.

Select the items to synchronize.

• Changes will appear on the mobile device.

Same process for other services.

• Often built-in to the mobile device.