The same technology wars that have hurt wireless networking products in thepast are surfacing once again, with two groups vying to chart the course ofuntethered high-speed connections. Intel, Cisco Systems, Proxim and othersare developing new high-speed wireless networking kits that are five timesfaster than current technology that lets people wirelessly link theirdesktop computers and laptops and share a Net connection. But two competinghigh-speed wireless standards are in the works - with the second standardemerging from Europe - and tech companies are fearful of an industry splitthat could stifle an emerging market analysts predict will soon be worthseveral billions of dollars a year. "People are confused enough already, so(companies are) making a big effort to get down to one standard," saidanalyst Gemma Paulo, of Cahners In-Stat Group.The current 11mbps (megabits per second) data rate for the wirelessnetworking technology is fast enough for consumers who do simple Websurfing, transfer data and share printers, said analysts and networkingexecutives. But when more and more devices in the home get connected to theNet, such as Web-surfing appliances, TVs, stereos and other electronicequipment, faster speeds will be needed for a home network. Whatever theuse, people will find a way to fill up the extra wireless bandwidth, saidYankee Group analyst Karuna Uppal. "People used to think 56K modems werefast enough." With the release of the high-speed wireless technology stillabout ten months away, technology companies and industry standards groupsare hoping to settle on one wireless technology and prevent a standards warlike the one that has plagued wireless products and caused confusion amongconsumers.
This ongoing standards war pits Wi-Fi, or 802.11B-a technology standard forboth home and office networks supported by companies such as 3Com, LucentTechnologies, Apple Computer and Cisco - against HomeRF, a technologystandard for the home supported by Intel, Proxim, Motorola, Compaq Computerand others. Now, in a similar vein, two industry standards groups havecreated next-generation, faster-speed wireless standards. The Institute ofElectrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has created 802.11A, a standardthat will run at data transfer rates of 54mbps. That's nearly five timesfaster than the current 802.11B technology. The European TelecommunicationsStandards Institute has created a competing high-speed standard calledHyperLAN2 that is heavily backed by Ericsson.
An industry consortium created by Intel, Microsoft and Compaq Computer onnext-generation wireless standards has brought the two sides together totalk in an attempt to work out their differences, said Rich Redelfs, chiefexecutive of Atheros, a start-up that makes 802.11A processors. "The PCindustry was trying to send us a message, saying, 'Hey guys, get your acttogether. We don't want to go through the whole 802.11B-HomeRF discussionagain. We want a single market,'" said Redelf, a former 3Com executive. Theproblem with the 802.11A wireless standard is that it could causeinterference with NATO satellites, Redelf said. The standards group isworking to fix the standard, so it can be used in Europe, he added. Mosttech companies are sinking their research and development into 802.11Atechnology. For example, Cisco in November acquired 802.11A chipmakerRadiata for $295 million and expects to incorporate the technology "Theultimate goal," he said, "is one worldwide standard."In arrangement with India.CNET.com
Copyright © 2001 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
