Many technologies have emerged to realize human dreams. However, they often create complications regarding compatibility and the intricacies of technical specifications. Wi-Fi is no exception.
“This Internet connectivity technology promises many prospects, and few doubt that it will become so popular that it’s hard to believe“, commented Doug Loewe, an expert from the wireless security company iPass (USA). “Just a few years ago, the world had about 5,000 access points, but now that number has grown to over 50,000. Hotspots are springing up everywhere as they cater not only to business needs but also to consumer demands.”
The world of Wi-Fi is filled with complex letters and numbers such as 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11n. The 802.11 standard assures users that they are accessing wireless connectivity, while the letters at the end indicate what those standards can achieve.
“The digital world demands data transmission rates of 10, 11, or even 12 Mb per second, but ‘b’, ‘g’, and their variants have yet to meet these requirements. If the ‘n’ standard is approved, it may cause issues similar to those we see today“, stated Rob Falconer from Belkin.
When Wi-Fi first emerged, its coverage, speed, and application capabilities were all “problematic.” In June 2004, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) began researching the ‘n’ standard, but after two years, they had yet to reach a consensus. The information on the organization’s website confirmed that 802.11n would not be finalized until July 2007.
The tech community is nurturing the idea of providing city-wide Wi-Fi coverage, such as installing it on streetlight poles. However, they are also paying attention to another technology, WiMax, which operates under the 802.16 standard and boasts a wider range.
“WiMax also has many different variants. South Korea is currently establishing a unique standard called WiBro. Meanwhile, 802.16D promises to replace cable and has been applied in some railway companies to enable wireless connectivity on trains. 802.16E is designed specifically for mobile devices but has yet to be officially approved“, explained Guy Kewney from Newswireless.net.
In general, the popular Wi-Fi technology currently meets only half of user demands; WiMax has not yet been fully implemented, and 3G—another wireless technology—is also struggling to attract customers. “There will come a time when all three standards will combine and complement each other. No single technology will dominate as they can all be compatible with one another“, predicted Doug Loewe.
T.N.
