Many seed catalogs find their way into my mailbox in January, and I like to spend snowy
afternoons looking through them and planning what to plant once the ground thaws. But I've
also been thinking about how something else is starting to bud — the wireless LAN
(WLAN) market.
In this month's Next Gen Networks section, you'll get just a glimpse of some of the
exciting announcements in this area (as well as other wireless news). Cahners In-Stat
Group predicts that by 2003, nearly 23 million U.S. employees will use a wireless LAN, up
from 2.3 million in 1999. Cahners also expects that about 20 percent of network employees
will access their companies? networks via a WLAN connection by 2003. And why not? Wireless
LANs augment rather than replace wired LAN networks. They provide the final few meters of
connectivity between a wired network and a mobile user.
However, Bluetooth (the code name of emerging specifications for low-cost, short-range
radio links among mobile PCs, phones, and other portable devices) has become an Eddie
Haskell sort of character, charming many with its promise of reliable connections, but it
can also be a bully to WLANs. Bluetooth uses the 2.4 GHz radio frequency — the same
frequency used by WLANs, based on the 802.11 standard. When a Bluetooth connection
collides with a wireless LAN connection, one or both connections can jam, which results in
a transmission error.
The potential for colliding connections is more of a problem for the LAN radio than for
Bluetooth devices, though, because Bluetooth can hop frequencies faster than 802.11. Since
Bluetooth is always connecting, it can always be jamming the network. While actual
products based on this specification are not likely to be announced until later this year,
people are buzzing about Bluetooth's main benefit: providing persistent, wireless
connections between different kinds of devices. Several members of the Wireless LAN
Alliance are also members of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group, but none of them have
solved the problem yet. It is expected, however, that a solution will eventually emerge.
Perhaps WLANs aren't quite ready to be plucked from the tree and devoured, but they
certainly are maturing. The IEEE specification 802.11b codifies a standard for 11 Mbps
signals at 2.4 GHz. But another standard, 802.11a, is on the table. This proposal sets
standards for 24 Mbps signals at 5 GHz. Also on the regulatory horizon is an FCC proposal
to increase from 1 MHz to 3 MHz or 5 MHz the bandwidth used for frequency hopping. This
change could have a profound effect on equipment makers and users because it will let
vendors develop products that use less power at higher transmission speeds.
— Carol Drzewianowski
Cisco Systems To Acquire Aironet
Cisco Systems announced a definitive agreement to acquire publicly held
Aironet Wireless Communications. Aironet is a developer of high-speed wireless LAN
products. The acquisition furthers Cisco's New World strategy to deliver open,
standards-based wireless solutions to mobile business environments. The transaction has an
aggregate value of approximately $799 million. Cisco's acquisition of Aironet will allow
business customers to gain wireless capabilities that act as extentions to existing wired
local area networks.
No. 539, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo
Motorola Intros One Chip To Handle All Wireless Standards
Motorola introduced a baseband processor that can execute all major existing wireless
standards, including support for CDMA(1), GSM, iDEN, and TDMA wireless devices, as well as
satellite-based products. The DSP56690 baseband processor, part of Motorola's DigitalDNA
portfolio for wireless systems, integrates a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) core and an
M-CORE microcontroller and is capable of delivering the processing performance to complete
a modern wireless exchange. The DSP56690 baseband processor provides large on-chip ROM
memory spaces and a strong peripheral set that allows it to be configured to meet the
needs of OEM manufacturers around the world. Motorola designed the DSP56690 baseband
processor to support the demands of mid- to high-tier wireless applications, specifically
those that take advantage of high data throughput standards like general packet radio
service (GPRS) and WAP-enabled microbrowsers.
No. 540, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo
Nokia WAP Server 1.0 Made Available
Nokia has announced the availability of the Nokia WAP server 1.0, a product
that allows businesses to securely leverage the Internet in mobile environments and
empower employees on the move. The Nokia WAP Server is an open server platform for mobile
applications that lets companies maintain control over end-to-end security of access to
data and customer traffic between the wireless network and the Internet or their own
internal networks. The Nokia WAP Server complies with the WAP 1.1 specifications, and
features a security option that is an implementation of the Wireless Transportation Layer
Security (WTLS). The price for corporate use starts from $10,000.
No. 541, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo
HP, Ericsson, and Telia Cooperate In WAP E-speak E-services Pilot
Project
Hewlett-Packard, Ericsson, and Telia will cooperate in a joint pilot project to run
Wireless Access Protocol (WAP)-based mobile Internet e-services on HP's e-speak platform.
E-speak is designed to simplify the creation, delivery, and navigation of e-services. HP's
e-speak is developed as an open, standards-based platform for the creation, composition,
mediation, management, and access of Internet-based services. In the pilot project now
underway, Telia will deploy HP's e-speak platform in its mobile network. Ericsson is
contributing with its WAP solutions, applications development, and WAP-enabled terminals.
Following the pilot project, the three companies plan to launch the first of a series of
e-speak-enabled wireless e-services, an automated scheduling service, and a corporate
directory service by mid-2000 to a select group of medium-sized engineering firms that
maintain fleets of field engineers. Using WAP phones and GSM-based positioning, the field
engineers will be able to receive and update customer job information while on the road,
as well as access corporate phone and database directories.
No. 542, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo
Ericsson Announces Availability Of Mobile Advantage Wireless Office
System
Ericsson, along with its partner, AT&T Wireless Services, announced the general
availability of its Mobile Advantage Wireless Office system. Additionally, Ericsson and
AT&T have signed a joint marketing agreement to offer the Ericsson Mobile Advantage
system to AT&T Wireless Office Service business customers. Under the agreement,
AT&T will provide airtime and digital TDMA service under the name AT&T Wireless
Office Service. The wireless office system will be sold by Ericsson under the Mobile
Advantage trademark. Ericsson’s Mobile Advantage Wireless Office system is based on
the TDMA-136 standard and operates on either 850MHz or 1900MHz licensed frequencies. The
fully digital mobile communications system incorporates all major PBX features, including
PBX voice mail, caller ID, 4 or 5 digit dialing, call waiting, call transfer, call
forwarding, and message waiting indication. All calls not answered by the user are
deposited into the user’s PBX voice mail.
No. 543, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo
Simplified, HP To Deliver Internet Services To Mobile Customers
Simplified, an enabler of Internet market convergence through end-to-end software
applications, announced that it is working with Hewlett-Packard to deliver Internet
service capabilities to global wireless service providers, enabling convergence within
these two growth industries. Utilizing the Simplified platform, the wireless provider can
add Internet, data, voice, and cable applications to its suite of offerings. Additionally,
wireless customers will be able to access services via that company's Web site, such as
billing inquiries and real-time service upgrades and changes. Simplified's customized
software and the HP OpenCall SS7 platform, which incorporates HP's A- and N-Class Unix
servers, will allow wireless service providers to offer Internet services to their
customers by leveraging an integrated, standards-based platform. This alliance enables
these customers to quickly create and deliver new value for mobile end users who demand
affordable, converged communication services.
No. 544, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo
Lucent’s WaveLAN Meets New IEEE Standard
Lucent Technologies announced the availability of a new WaveLAN wireless local area
network (WLAN) that is compliant with the latest 802.11b High Rate (HR) standard. The
WaveLAN Turbo 11 MB system provides Ethernet-quality performance to mobile workers within
an enterprise, yet is also compatible with WaveLAN’s previous 2 Mbps and Turbo
versions. The Turbo 11 MB system consists of PC cards for use with mobile computers. For
desktop systems, users can select between an ISA card and a new PCI card. On the network
side, the WavePOINT-II access point is used to create an enterprise-wide WLAN. The WaveLAN
Turbo 11 MB system is interoperable with other high-speed 802.11b branded systems and is
designed to be compliant with the WECA (Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance) Wi-Fi
“wireless fidelity” standard.
No. 545, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo
Nokia To Acquire Telekol
Nokia has announced an agreement to acquire Telekol, a company specializing in intelligent
corporate communications solutions, for $56.5 million. “This acquisition will boost
Nokia’s complete IP telephony and wireless LAN solution by bringing additional
know-how in integrated messaging and advanced call processing,” said Kent Elliott,
senior vice president and general manager of Nokia Internet Communications. “Nokia
will gain new competencies in the area of intelligent corporate communications to
complement Nokia’s strong product offering.”
No. 546, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo
Proxim, Adaptive To Deliver Wireless Broad-band Data Solutions
Proxim and Adaptive Broadband announced an agreement to deliver a seamless
wireless solution that distributes high-speed data, voice, and video services across the
last mile to multiple users in homes and businesses. This announcement marks the
industry’s arrangement to offer a completely wireless voice, video, and high-speed
data solution that covers not only the last mile, but provides in-building wireless local
area networking (LAN) connectivity for both business and residential customers. Adaptive
Broadband’s AB-Access wireless networking equipment for broadband service providers
delivers ultra high-speed wireless access of up to 25 Mbps over the last mile to homes and
businesses that supports video streams, broadband data, and toll-quality isochronous voice
services rather than today’s conventional offerings of voice over IP. Under terms of
the agreement, Adaptive Broadband will integrate Proxim’s HomeRF networking
technology to wirelessly distribute broadband services throughout business and residential
buildings to multiple users for simultaneously accessing the services.
No. 547, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo
Apex Intros Wireless E-mail For NSPs
APEX Voice Communications has announced a Wireless E-Mail Application (WEM) for cellular
and PCS Network Service Providers (NSPs). The new value-added voice application allows
subscribers to send, receive, and reply to e-mail messages from wireless terminals without
the use of a computer. Major features of WEM include easy initial service configuration,
important message notification, and a contact directory. WEM runs on APEX’s OmniVox
Intelligent Call Processing (ICP) enhanced services platform and was developed by Netcom
using OmniView, APEX’s enhanced services creation environment. The OmniVox
Intelligent call processor utilizes text-to-speech (TTS) technology to read aloud in
synthesized voice the sender’s name, the date and time the e-mail was received, the
subject of the message, and the message itself. At anytime during the message, the
subscriber may replay, delete, save, or reply. Two reply options are available: the sender
may choose to respond by telephone call or may record a message that is attached to the
original e-mail in a .wav file format and played to the addressee upon receipt. Written
messages can be preprogrammed for recipients who do not have access to a multimedia PC.
Languages that WEM currently supports are English, Spanish, Portuguese and German;
however, other languages can also be added.
No. 548, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo
Malibu Announces Personal Broadband Wireless Network Architecture
Malibu Networks, a wireless systems start-up, announced it is developing the next
generation of fixed wireless broadband architecture and access products. Based on the
company’s patent-pending wireless IP technology, WINAAR (Wireless IP Network Access
Architecture) will provide the critical links allowing service providers to fully realize
the “Personal Broadband” revolution around the globe. WINAAR is designed to
harness the power and richness of IP-based applications and services with the ubiquitous
coverage and rapid deployment benefits of secure, high-performance broadband wireless
access. Service providers will be capable of deploying and provisioning first-to-market
and fast-to-market Quality of Service-enabled, wireless broadband value-added IP services
worldwide.
No. 549, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo
Broadcom, Cisco To Deliver High-Speed Wireless Internet Services
Broadcom announced a joint development program with Cisco Systems to develop a high
performance Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) for the broadband fixed
wireless market that incorporates breakthrough radio frequency (RF) technology known as
Vector Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (VOFDM). The custom digital chip
development is part of a larger Broadcom and Cisco effort to establish an open broadband
fixed wireless standard based on VOFDM. Broadcom and Cisco engineers will work side by
side to develop a full custom CMOS, single-chip wireless modem ASIC, containing both a
Media Access Control (MAC) layer and an advanced wireless Physical Layer, that enables a
robust, cost-effective broadband fixed wireless solution to be offered to multiple
equipment vendors in the open market.
No. 550, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo
Wireless Telecom Standards Join For Interoperability
The GSM Association and the Universal Wireless Communications Consortium (UWCC) are
bringing consumers a step closer to a global, wireless phone with access to nearly 100
percent of all coverage areas across all continents. The two industry groups have signed a
Memorandum of Understanding, officially establishing cooperation to work toward worldwide
interoperability between Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) and Time Division
Multiple Access (TDMA ANSI-136). Robert G. Conway, CEO of the GSM Association, said,
“Both organizations share the common objective of creating an evolutionary pathway to
global interoperability for voice and data for subscribers around the world. We also share
the goal of a common core 3G network for UWC-136 or W-CDMA, while protecting our customers
and building our investment in current second generation technologies.”
No. 551, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo
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