DEMO: Reinventing Network Topology

Range Networks showed a proposal called Open BTS, which would replace the switching used by cellular phones, specifically those using GSM and LTE technology. This is designed to "flatten the core network" by using IP mobile application delivery. The company said this will move the network from old technology such as ISDN to something more like the SIP protocol used by VoIP phones.

Ether2, meanwhile, had an interesting proposal called "The Q," which proposes to replaced the Ethernet Mac layer with a new data layer that doesn't require routers. Initially, this would be for wireless sensor networks, based around the ZigBee protocol, though the company said this could be extended to other networks as well.