WiFi (or Wi-Fi)
Wireless local area networks (WLANs) use a technology called WiFi, or Wi-Fi,
to create a small-scale wireless networks that have a typical radius of
several hundred feet. The most prevalent form of WLAN technology is called
WiFi, which encompasses a host of standards including 802.11a, 802.11b, and
802.11g. Wireless Internet via WiFi offers blazing fast data speeds (11Mbps
at the low end with 802.11b and 54 Mbps at the high end for 802.11a and
802.11g). While WiFi technology does not offer the degree of ubiquity that
wide area networks do, the fast data speeds and relatively cheap costs of
setting up a WiFi-based WLAN have spurred it ahead in the market.
Companies implementing WiFi see a positive impact on productivity
and profitability. Not only are large companies adapting the technology, but
businesses in the SOHO sector are also seeing the benefits of WiFi and are
actually driving the market.
As more employees have wireless enabled laptops or PDAs, WiFi offers an
unparalleled flexibility and ease of access to important applications.
Furthermore, the implementation of WiFI helps IT departments cut costs and
simplify installations. To prove the effectiveness of WiFI, the Wi-Fi
Alliance recently developed a WLAN benefits calculator to help enterprises
determine the ROI from deploying WLANs.
IT-Wireless provides in-depth insight into the WiFi and wireless LAN
industries. Recent WiFi and WLAN articles include:
- "Microsoft, partners to promote Wi-Fi access"
- "WLAN chip market to double in size but decline in revenue"
- "Intel Capital continues 802.11 investments"
- "Pronto, Ansat in WLAN gaming deal"
In addition to the benefits WiFi and WLANs can bring to large and small
corporations, IT-Wireless also looks at the technology driving WiFi and
WLANs. Companies such as Atheros Communications are developing next
generation chipsets allowing greater performance and range across all WiFi
standards. Linksys (now owned by Cisco) and Broadcom are pushing dual band
networking products. Microsoft, through its new Windows Mobile software, is
partnering with various WiFi providers to make it easier for consumers to
locate and use wireless LANs.
IT-Wireless will keep you informed about both the business and technology
developments surrounding WiFi and WLANs.
Sign up today and benefit! You may also wish to subscribe to our sister
publication
FierceWireless.
