News
Issue #2003 - 26 (October 2003)
(Updated Oct. 1, 2003)

INFRASTRUCTURE, PRODUCTS & SERVICES

WiFi News This Week

Source 802.11 Report Newsletter and vendor press releases

1. Netgear Recently Launched its Super-G chip, 
The vendor claims that it could reach speeds of up to 108 Mbps

D-Link is also bringing out a new chip, based on an alternative standard, which it claims is as fast as Netgear's. D-Link is more modest in its claim, however, saying that its DWL2000AP+ offers a "practical" throughput of around 34 Mbps. D-Link says that this is the same practical throughput one will get from Super-G.  NetGear and D-Link are using different technologies, neither of which are based on IEEE standards. 

Netgear is using the Atheros chipset, and it appears to use channel bonding using multiple radio slots for transmission. D-Link uses the TI chipset, which includes the PBCC modulation technology. Both standards only give the speed boost when the access point and Wi-Fi card come from the same vendor. 

D-Link says the TI scheme is better because it is more about compression of the data before it hits the airwaves and does not preclude transmission of normal 802.11b data at the same time as g+. It also has a heritage, as TI offered a similar speed boost to 802.11b, called b+. The IEEE's 802.11 standards site does not make any explicit reference to either method, so the market may well decide the winner. Prices are not yet available, but g+ should add no more than $15 to $20 to the price of a standard 802.11g base station.

2. Verizon's effort to compete with Wi-Fi
Starting today, Verizon begins to offer services which may be seen as competing with Wi-Fi. Customers will pay $79.99 per month for a 300-500 Kbps connection. Customers will have to use a PC card which costs $179 after a $100 rebate. Will this offer competition to Wi-Fi? The throughput is slower, but the service will be more widely available. See details here.

3. Chip Vendors Encourage Wi-Fi in Smaller Devices
See this news item in this newsletter issue.

MobileInfo Comments and Advisory: Real-life speeds are always lower than the rated speeds. The standard 802.11g that is rated at 54 Mbps delivers a throughput less than 28 Mbps. Nonetheless Netgear and D-Link's efforts are noteworthy.

Note: This news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and section 21E of Securities Exchange act of 1934 in USA. Similar provisions exist in other countries. There is no assurance that the stipulated plans of vendors will be implemented. MobileInfo does not warrant the authenticity of the information. Readers should take appropriate caution in developing plans utilizing these products, services and technology architectures.  All trademarks used in this summary are the property of their respective owners.