Mobile phone operator O2 yesterday signed a deal with The Cloud that will enable its customers to get wireless broadband access in places such as pubs, cafes and train stations across Britain. The Cloud runs about 4,600 wireless broadband – or wi-fi – hotspots across the country. Wi-fi is increasingly being offered by the mobile… Continue Reading
Monthly Archives: October 2004
Spectra Adds Ember ZigBee Expertise
Embedded communications specialist distributor, Spectre, has signed an agreement to support UK developers in working with Ember Corporation’s, ZigBee ready mesh networking technology for sensor and control applications in building automation, home control, industrial automation and medical devices and utility industries. Via [eetuk.com]… Continue Reading
Belkin To Launch 802.11n Wi-Fi Products On October 22
Belkin today said that it will begin to sell Wi-Fi routers and network cards supporting the not-yet standardized 802.11n technology through retail outlets in the US on October 22. The technology increases the bandwidth of today’s 802.11g standard from 54 Mbit/s to 135 Mbit/s. Via [tomshardware.com]… Continue Reading
T-Mobile Makes Wi-Fi More Secure
T-Mobile USA has implemented the 802.1x security standard across its U.S. HotSpot network to provide a more secure environment for customers using Wi-Fi. Via [wirelessweek.com]… Continue Reading
New WLANs Still Don’t Come Easy
Cisco Systems Inc. is set to introduce a dual-band version of its popular 1100 Series wireless access point, a boon for enterprise customers looking to support voice and data on WLANs. But a lack of tools to make the devices easier to configure and manage might still leave users wanting. Via [eweek.com]… Continue Reading
Switching Off The Lights?
Wireless LAN startups Legra Systems and Airflow Networks may be the latest victims of the consolidation underway in the Wi-Fi switch. Via [wi-fiplanet.com]… Continue Reading
Wi-Fi Chipmaker Warns On Profits, Revenues
Wireless networking chip specialist Atheros Communications, Inc. has warned that sales for its third quarter ended September 30 will be between $4million to $5 million below the guidance it gave back in July. Via [internetweek.com]… Continue Reading
Netgear Taps Atheros For 108-Mbit WiFi Router Design
Netgear has tapped Atheros’ wireless LAN (WLAN) technology to develop a wireless router that operates in the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands and delivers a peak data rate of 108-Mbit/s. Via [commsdesign.com]… Continue Reading
Wound Up In Wireless
With all the media coverage and vendor hype it is easy to believe we are in the middle of a wireless revolution. But don’t get carried away: while there is an opportunity to deliver value to customers through wireless solutions, resellers must present solid business cases and help customers around technical complexities Via [vnunet.com]… Continue Reading
ZigBee In Danger Of Falling Apart
The domination of the 802.16 process by a handful of vendors is often criticized, but at least it has resulted in a measure of unity that is looking increasingly enviable as the other key IEEE wireless efforts fall prey to dangerous fragmentation, which could significantly devalue the role of the standards body itself. We have… Continue Reading
WiMax Price Cuts Will Expand Sales
WiMax wireless broadband could be become the third most-used high speed Internet access technology after digital subscriber lines (DSL) and cable modems, according to market researchers at the Yankee Group. Proponents of WiMax wireless broadband technology see it supplanting Wi-Fi, with a high volume of chipsets cutting prices. But, WiMax prices will take some time… Continue Reading
Patent Landrush Threatens Wi-Fi Standards
We have examined before how patent lawsuits are threatening to stifle the adoption of wireless standards. Symbol, fresh from an intellectual property victory over rival Proxim, is the latest to assert sweeping licensing rights in 802.11 technology, while VIA is seeking to extend its proposed ‘intellectual property pool’ to WiMAX. Via [theregister.co.uk]… Continue Reading
Cracking The Wireless Security Code
Is it possible to deploy a secure wireless LAN with technology available today? That question preys on the minds of IT executives who are tempted to deploy enterprise WLANs, but are hesitant because of security concerns. Via [nwfusion.com]… Continue Reading
Drive-by Hackers Get Residents’ Hackles Up
The specter of drive-by computer hackers cruising upscale Scottsdale neighborhoods to cherry-pick wireless Web systems has residents worried about a new method of privacy intrusion and identity theft. Via [azcentral.com]… Continue Reading
Drive-Through Wireless
We’ve told this story in a dozen variations: The entrepreneur who envisions a new use for Wi-Fi, a moneymaker sure to tap into the demands of a previously unrecognized audience. Latte sippers. Boaters. RV drivers. Via [wi-fiplanet.com]… Continue Reading