Category: Commentary

Experts believe WiMax will have the same security problems as WiFi. These problems, according to former Tipping Point security consultant Shawn Merdinger, include "weak management protocols and vulnerable applications -- embedded Web servers, unencrypted access via telnet and SNMP V1 and V2." Gartner's VP of mobile computing Ken Dulaney, however, stressed that any security problem...

Tropos Networks is releasing Tropos 5320, a new outdoor wireless mesh router that includes more than one radio. According to Tropos senior director of marketing Bert Williams, the new device may integrate Wi-Fi, WiMAX metropolitan-area wireless and even 3G, and determine which combination will provide the best performance within the mesh, a network that can...

Pipex Wireless declared the trial of its WiMax wireless wide area network in Stratford-upon-Avon a success. The project assessed the performance of Pipex Wireless WiMax-based broadband services for clients with internal and external antennas that run on Intel Rosedale chipsets. The test found that indoor antennas attained speeds of over 2Mbps up and down without...

The Royal Hospitals Trust is planning to add 200 more access points to its wireless network, which currently houses 400 of these devices, as part of its plan to open a new digital imaging center. The trust -- a hospital network comprising the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, the Royal Jubilee Maternity Service, the...

Springfield Mass. is investigating wireless for the city. The spent $30,000 for the three month study to find out if such a network is fiesable. They hope to provide it as an amenity to attract entrepreneurs. Via [boston.com]

Municipal wireless will either soar or crash, depending on who you ask. The usual problems of achieving full coverage, how to pay for it, and getting people to use it are cited. Expectations for the technology don't seem to be lined up with what is capable. Time will tell what happens. Via [fcw.com]

Intel is persuading at least six operators in Southern Europe to deploy WiMax. The company is also talkng with Orascom in the hope of convincing the Middle Eastern mobile phone operator to use the technology. It has recently entered into an agreement with Sprint Nextel, which makes it the supplier of equipment for the new...

After evaluating other technologies, Sprint Nextel has chosen WiMax as its vehicle technology for the new high-speed wireless network that it plans to roll out in late 2007. According to Sprint chief executive Gary Forsee, Intel will provide the equipment for the network while Samsung and Motorola will develop phones and mobile devices that will...

Analysts expect a dip in sales and consolidation of small wireless providers with the proliferation of municipal and citywide Wi-Fi networks, which offer low-cost and even free Internet service. Dan Lowden, vice-president of marketing and business development at Wi-Fi access operator Wayport, dismissed the opinion, saying he does not see "any type of impact from...

Security experts are raising concerns over connectivity to municipal and free public Wi-Fi networks. Brian Hernacki, an architect at security software developer Symantec's research labs, believes the lack of security in muni Wi-Fi networks makes them susceptible to attacks. Hackers could tap such infrastructure to gain access to data that companies have used millions of...

A study from WTRS forecasts that manufacturers are going to start integrating several wireless protocols into single chips in the near future. With devices like PDA's using 3G, WiFi and Bluetooth, this is not a bad idea. They forcast high short term sales, but standbys like RFID will provide longer term profits. Via [eetimes.com]

In-Stat sees a "bumpy" transition from IEEE 802.11b/g Wi-Fi to the next-gen 802.11n standard. The analyst firm believes the move to 802.11n will be more difficult than that to 802.11g from 802.11b. Though formal ratification of the IEEE 802.11n wireless Lan standard may not happen until next year, wireless networking firms have already developed products...

Google is not planning to provide US-wide WiFi service. It said around 300 contracts are open for competition but Google has not expressed its interest in any of them. It has put up $1 million to build a citywide network in Mountain View, the place Google calls home. As per its agreement with the city,...

The Tibetan Technology Center is set to host the Air Jaldi Summit for wireless community developers from around the globe. Free Software Foundation founder Richard Stallman, Wi-Fi pioneer Vic Hayes as well as representatives from Intel, Cisco and European wireless activists are expected to participate in the event, which will held in October. University of...

The Wi-Fi Alliance has unveiled Wi-Fi Protected Setup to allow for easier installation of safe Wi-Fi. According to the alliance, the program formerly known as "Wi-Fi Simple Config" will be available by the fourth quarter of 2006. WPS, it said, "is planned as an optional certification based on a standardised method for security setup in...