Next-generation Wi-Fi is coming soon, but 'let the buyer beware'
17 May 2006
News
The 802.11n Wi-Fi standard holds the promise of enabling a new generation of networking applications including multimedia distribution within the home and very high-speed data connectivity. In March 2006, a new draft 11n Draft Specification was approved, and chipset vendors and equipment makers are now gearing up for a new wave of market growth. However, the road ahead is full of pitfalls, according to ABI Research, and early adopters should heed the warning to 'let the buyer beware' until final ratification of the standard in 2007.
"The 11n Draft Specification was the starting gun for 802.11 chipset vendors," comments Alan Varghese, ABI's principal analyst for wireless semiconductors. Varghese adds that the leading chipset companies in the 802.11 standards such as Broadcom, Atheros, Intel, Marvell, Texas Instruments, and Conexant will now join incumbent Airgo Networks in a race to provide solutions for this incipient market. Shipments of current-generation 802.11g ICs have taken the world by storm, hitting 150 million units this year, and manufacturers expect a much larger available market for 802.11n given the broader set of consumer electronics and networking applications that will be enabled by average data speeds of 150 Mbps and peak speeds of 600 Mbps.
But though the Draft form has had consensus, the specification still leaves many options open to interpretation and implementation. Will there be 11n Draft chipsets and devices available in the market in 2006? According to Varghese, the answer is yes. "But," he cautions, "there will be wide variability between them, and true interoperability between vendors is still wishful thinking. So consumers and business users should be wary about their purchases, at least till final ratification of the standard, which is expected sometime in 2007."
Further reading:
From the editor’s desk: Windows 10’s end of support arrives bringing industrial risks
Technews Publishing
News
By the time you read this column, support for non-LTSC editions of Windows 10 will have ended, officially having their last day on 14 October 2025. This means no more security patches, feature updates,
...
Read more...
Electronic News Digest
News
A brief synopsis of current global news relating to the electronic engineering fields with regards to company finances, general company news, and engineering technologies.
Read more...
Correction: Marijana Abt, Rebound Electronics
News
In the August issue of
Dataweek magazine, the article titled ‘Celebrating innovation, leadership, and the next generation’ featured Marijana Abt, senior account manager at Rebound Electronics. Owing
...
Read more...
Trasna and RF Design announce distribution agreement
RF Design
News
Trasna and RF Design have announced a strategic distribution agreement for cellular IoT solutions which will ensure seamless availability of Trasna’s cellular connectivity solutions.
Read more...
Local partnership puts demand-side management to work in South Africa
News
Sensor Networks has partnered with European demand-side management specialist ThermoVault to bring advanced load-shifting capabilities to one of the country’s biggest energy consumers: the household geyser.
Read more...
Hisense SA launches year-long learnership programme for youth
News
Hisense SA’s manufacturing plant in Atlantis recently welcomed 100 young people from the local community, to embark on a year-long learnership and skills development programme.
Read more...
Comtest hosts channel partners
Comtest
News
Comtest, together with FLUKE, recently set the stage for an unforgettable afternoon as they welcomed over 80 Channel Partners to their annual celebration of excellence.
Read more...
RS South Africa and Qhubeka empower learners through the gift of mobility
RS South Africa
News
Through its bicycle donation initiative, 354 bicycles have been distributed to date, empowering students to access education more easily by reducing the physical and economic barriers posed by long daily commutes.
Read more...
Deca and SST announce strategic collaboration
News
The collaboration provides customers with a modular, memory-centric foundation for advanced multi-die architectures.
Read more...
Specialised Exhibitions transitions to new name: Montgomery Group Africa
News
As part of a strategic move to streamline operations, strengthen regional alignment, and support long-term growth, Specialised Exhibitions has transitioned to a new name: Montgomery Group Africa.
Read more...
printer friendly version