Michael Calabrese, a vice-president at the New America Foundation, has proposed opening up “white space” or unused spectrum between TV channels to boost the availability and coverage of WiFi in the U.S. Calabrese argued that “white space” provides “beachfront” spectrum, a low frequency spectrum ideal for WiFi, which needs to operate on very low power… Continue Reading
Category Archives: Commentary
WiMax Spectrum Row Heats Up
The latest statement from the GSM Association did not sit well with WiMax supporters. The association is urging European Commission regulators to restrict the so-called 3G extension bands — particularly 2.5-2.690 GHz — to “the IMT-2000 family of technologies.” The plea ensued from proposals labeling certain bands as “technology neutral.” David Pringle of the GSM… Continue Reading
Wi-Fi Phones Ring Changes In Telephony Sector
Analysts expect the global Wi-Fi phone market to enjoy a robust growth in 2006. Figures from Infonetics Research indicate that the Wi-Fi telephony industry earned $125.5 million in 2005, twice the volume in 2004. The analyst firm’s forecast shows that the numbers will more than double this year and may nearly triple by 2009, when… Continue Reading
Some Say Wireless Chief Goes Too Far
Philadephia tech czar Dianah Neff is being criticized for her frequent travelling and the expenses incurred for attending events. Neff, who earns $193,800 a year as the city’s chief information officer, has participated in 56 technology conferences in the U.S. and abroad since joining Mayor Street’s team in 2001. Neff said her appearances generated revenues… Continue Reading
Langberg: The Overbuilding Of Wireless Networks Lingers In The Air
Too much excitement over wireless technologies is risking the possibility of overbuilding of networks. At present, there are several projects aimed at providing citywide or nationwide WiFi coverage and the question is whether these networks will attract enough customers to remain viable in the long term. Analysts like Andy Seybold, editor of the wireless industry… Continue Reading
Sparking Interest In Wireless Networks
Sparkplug, a Chicago-based provider of fixed wireless connectivity to businesses, has formed a merger with two other wireless operators, Des Moines-based Prairie iNet and Phoenix-based Telespectra. “Each of our companies brings different strengths to the merger,” according to Sparkplug chief executive Bill Malloy. The move, Malloy said, would enable Sparkplug to widen its coverage as… Continue Reading
Study: Wi-Fi Users Are Not Freeloaders
Customers that avail of free WiFi connection in Paris coffee shops do not hog tables, according to a new study by Wi-Fi provider Free-HotSpot. The report indicates that cafes with free WiFi connection have three to five times more customers than their fee-based counterparts and these people use the service for a shorter duration, with… Continue Reading
NZ Spectrum Debate Highlights WiMAX Regulatory Dilemma
The coming of WiMax seems to be creating a bit of debate in countries like New Zealand where regulators want to revoke licenses for valuable WiMax spectrum and re-auction it off, presumably for a great amount of profit. Companies who currently own the spectrum are crying foul as big companies will be the only ones… Continue Reading
Wi-Fi Wars
The dark side of offering free wireless internet access is showing. Freeloaders, those who might buy one cup of coffee at a coffee shop, or maybe even nothing at all are becomeing a problem for many shop owners. Some are reconsidering offering free WiFi or just unplugging it when it’s a problem. Owners and consumers… Continue Reading
Affordable Citywide Wi-Fi Experiment Launched Nationwide
According to muniwireless.com, Wi-Fi systems have been deployed in nearly 60 U.S. cities and the goal is to add another 120 to the number. One of these cities is Chaska in Minnesota. Although considered a success by the Wi-Fi tracker website, Chaska’s network had suffered problems like slow speeds and dead connections. Roberta Wiggins, a… Continue Reading
WiMAX In The UK. Here’s Why It Won’t Fly
Given the current conditions, WiMax is not likely to gain widespread adoption in the U.K. anytime soon. WiMax requires exclusive spectrum use but only a few companies, i.e., PCCW and Pipex, own a spectrum. These companies also do not have their own network that is needed to allow for both fixed and mobile use of… Continue Reading
Wi-Fi Lessons Learned In Tempe
To date, no city has managed to make money with a municipal wireless network — but that hasn’t stopped new cities from trying. Those who started early are making the mistakes first, which is something those who follow can benefit from, but proponents insist Wi-Fi will ultimately gain in popularity. Current troubles for citywide networks… Continue Reading
Why We Must Get 802.11n Right
802.11n is very important to the industy, that’s why they should be sure to get it right. There are a large number of problems with the current proposal that need to be smoothed over to prevent interoperabilty problems and interference with legacy equipment. Homefully they get it right or things will be very interesting. Via… Continue Reading
Does Wi-Fi Security Matter?
A study by researchers at Indiana University found that nearly half of Wi-Fi networks are “horribly insecure” as they do not run any form of encryption. The results of the survey, which involved 2,500 access points in Indiana, were disclosed at the Workshop on the Economics of Information Security at the University of Cambridge early… Continue Reading
AMD’s ‘Centrino’ Strategy Worries Wi-Fi Vendors
WiFi vendors are expressing concerns over AMD’s plans to acquire ATI Technologies. The perception is that AMD will follow the “Centrino” route, which involved a bundle of an Intel-manufactured processor, chipset, and Wi-Fi card. Dirk Meyer, the president and chief operating officer of AMD, dismissed the concerns, assuring that the company has no plans of… Continue Reading