Thursday, July 4, 2002
Why Wi-Fi Will Die
Posted by Jason Dunn in "NEWS" @ 12:39 PM
http://www.wirelessweek.com/index.asp?layout=story&articleId=LN466D-RBF0-01CS-R0JY-00000-00
The author of this article has some interesting points, but when you boil it all down, he's basically saying "802.11b won't last forever." Well, duh.
Very few technologies have a long shelf life, and ultimately all standards evolve into newer, faster, cleaner versions of their former selves. I'll agree with him on this though: with the limitations around 802.11b, it may be the wrong technology to roll out in public spaces around the world. But given the current price point, how could we resist?
"Wireless networks based on the Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b) specification are the great success story of the last two years. With the exception of network security, they're the only part of the computer and telecom industry that's grown as the bubble deflated. Unlike increased security, whose necessity will only be celebrated by vendors and consultants, Wi-Fi brings real benefits.
For no more than the cost of a typical cab ride or long distance call, a Wi-Fi card gives laptop and PDA users the same freedom with data that cell phones provide for voice. It can be used in offices, homes, and even public spaces, leading to hopes that Wi-Fi will form the future public network. Nonprofit community groups and for-profit service providers hope that cheap Wireless LANs (WLANs) will be able to compete with expensive mobile systems. They could be right, but Wi-Fi still has no long-term future." Source: angelseye2000
The author of this article has some interesting points, but when you boil it all down, he's basically saying "802.11b won't last forever." Well, duh.
Very few technologies have a long shelf life, and ultimately all standards evolve into newer, faster, cleaner versions of their former selves. I'll agree with him on this though: with the limitations around 802.11b, it may be the wrong technology to roll out in public spaces around the world. But given the current price point, how could we resist?"Wireless networks based on the Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b) specification are the great success story of the last two years. With the exception of network security, they're the only part of the computer and telecom industry that's grown as the bubble deflated. Unlike increased security, whose necessity will only be celebrated by vendors and consultants, Wi-Fi brings real benefits.
For no more than the cost of a typical cab ride or long distance call, a Wi-Fi card gives laptop and PDA users the same freedom with data that cell phones provide for voice. It can be used in offices, homes, and even public spaces, leading to hopes that Wi-Fi will form the future public network. Nonprofit community groups and for-profit service providers hope that cheap Wireless LANs (WLANs) will be able to compete with expensive mobile systems. They could be right, but Wi-Fi still has no long-term future." Source: angelseye2000
