wifi hotspots

What's you WiMAX plan B?

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 06:59:56 -0500

WiMAX can't be declared dead, yet, but it's pretty darned puny from a marketplace perspective. So, just in case the whole WiMAX thing doesn't work out like you'd hoped, what are you going to do for the high-speed wireless access that your mobile employees need? On the one hand, 802.11n is rapidly moving toward final approval and codification, and is becoming a more realistic corporate option in the process. On the other hand, EV-DO and HSDPA are each maturing rapidly and offering high-speed access through existing networks. 802.11n and the latest in 3G technology will likely each be widely available before WiMAX rolls out in every major market--but there's always the chance that the new Sprint announcement will move things forward in a WiMAX direction. Keep your options open--that seems to be the wireless rule of the day.

For more on the state of WiMAX:
- Read the wireless thoughts at NetworkWorld

Merak: San Francisco free WiFi

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 06:59:58 -0500

The promise and frustration of free municipal WiFi have kept hopeful fans of anywhere networked computing on an emotional roller coaster for over a year now. One of the most visible instances of disappointment has been found in the City by the Bay, as tech-savvy San Francisco's municipal WiFi plans waxed and waned. Now, though, Merak has committed to a citywide network based on a mesh of access points combining higher-power units based on municipal infrastructure with lower-power in-fill units that would be located on residential porches, balconies, and fence posts. The Apes are supposed to begin showing up soon, with a full roll-out by the end of the year. Keep your fingers crossed, San Franciscans.

For more on Merak's San Francisco WiFi:
- Read the complete account at CIO-Today

Go slow on open WiFi

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 06:59:57 -0500

If you or your executives have to work while on the road, you know just how important finding open WiFi hotspots can be. The trouble is that open hotspots aren't necessarily safe hotspots--figuring out how to be safe while computing from a public WiFi access point is a skill critical to successful long-term mobile work. There are several key things to remember: always assume that someone is sniffing your traffic stream, VPN always, and don't trust a standard security suite to be the only protection you need to keep your data safe. It's possible to be responsible while computing from a public WiFi hotspot, but it takes planning, discipline, and the right tools to make it work.

For more on safe open WiFi computing:
- Read the hands-on instructions at CIO-Today

802.11n rolls out for real

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 06:59:58 -0500

After months of talk, it's finally here--the first large-scale 802.11n deployment. At Morrisville State College in New York, a network with 720 802.11n access points from Meru Networks has been rolled out, and the college (not to mention the rest of the 802.11n-wanting world) is waiting to see if 802.11n lives up to the promises. Now that 802.11n is finally moving toward final form, it will be interesting to see if the spec works as well as expected. No formal benchmarks have been run on the Morrisville network yet, but keep checking--numbers will certainly be available soon.

For more on the ground-breaking 802.11n deployment:
- Read the real-world report at NetworkWorld

Wireless networks get closer

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 06:59:59 -0400

I remember when email wouldn't travel between networks. I had separate accounts for MCI Mail and Compuserve to increase my reach: it was a great day when email could traverse the Internet and move between networks. Now, of course, we take for granted that messages can move from one client to another. We're on the verge of reaching a similar point, at which the type of network that any client is connected to will matter much less. Smartphones that use both cellular and WiFi networks have been discussed for some time now, but they're finally beginning to make their way to market. Between cellular (and 3G data) networks, WiFi hotspots, and WiMAX networks, we're rapidly approaching a place when ubiquitous data connectivity will be a reasonable assumption virtually anywhere "in town". For those of us who work while moving from place to place, this is an incredible development. It's no less remarkable for organizations large and small because it will continue the change in how work (and the workplace) is defined. I'm not sure that I agree with Intel's assessment that 2008 will be "The Year of WiMAX", but I'm quite confident that we'll look back on 2007 and 2008 as years when the way that we work changed forever. -Curtis

Reinvented enterprise iPaq

Mon, 19 Feb 2007 19:01:38 -0500

The iPaq name has long meant full-featured wireless device for mobile data management and access. It's also meant a device with the large-form size common to palm-top computers. Now, HP hopes it will also mean a feature-packed cellphone in a sleek (well, sleeker) package. The iPaq 500 series, introduced in Barcelona, gives up the bulky form-factor while hanging on to most of the features that make an iPaq an iPaq. This multi-network phone (which will use 3G networks, WiFi hotspots, or office wireless networks), will ship with VoIP software and management tools that will allow it to seamlessly hand-off calls between networks. The Windows Mobile phone is designed to appeal to enterprise customers that have made significant investments in wireless applications, but are still open to a new platform.

For more details on the new iPaq:
- read the article at News Factor

Hotspots beyond the cable's reach

Sun, 04 Feb 2007 19:01:38 -0500

WiFi hotspots are great boons to mobile computing, but they tend to extend only as far as the cables to an ISP can stretch. D-Link has introduced a product aimed at extending that reach to the limits of the data-capable cellular network. The DIR-450 (and related DR-451) accept an Edge card to bring an Internet connection to the router and a WiFi hotspot to remote locations where a standard ISP connection isn't economical (or even possible). If your business includes short-term remote sites or highly mobile teams, this could be the sort of hotspot that answers significant questions.

For more on deploying remote hotspots:
- read the article at eWeek.com

Ultra-portable Nokia Internet tablet

Sun, 04 Feb 2007 19:01:37 -0500

The Nokia N800 has received a lot of press attention, but how will it play in your mobile wireless plans? It can provide small form-factor web browsing at any available WiFi hotspot, and phone calls via the Internet. It can be used as a mobile browser away from WiFi hotspots when it uses a Bluetooth connection to a mobile phone to reach the Internet. It's not a stand-alone mobile phone or a full-functioning computer, but it might give your mobile professionals just the combination of functions they need to be more productive when they're away from the office.

For more on the new N800:
- read the complete article at CIO-Today.com

Laptops that take wireless to the max

Sun, 02 Apr 2006 20:01:37 -0400

Dell is the latest vendor to grab bleeding-edge wireless technologies and integrate them into its laptop product line. The Latitude D620 and D820 both now feature optional built-in connectivity to wireless broadband technology. It will allow enterprises to choose services among cellular carriers, including Cingular Wireless and Verizon Wireless in the U.S. and Vodafone in Europe. While 3G high-speed network connectivity is still pretty limited and often not available in many cities, the laptops do support Verizon's Evolution Data Only and Cingular's High Speed Downlink Packet Access data transmission specs. The price point for the new device and wireless capabilities isn't too bad, averaging about $200 plus the service plan cost. In addition, the devices boast built-in 802.11b/g WiFi and a function called the Wi-Fi Catcher, which helps users detect WiFi hotspots without booting up the machine. Article

Bringing WiFi access to disaster zones

Sun, 11 Sep 2005 20:01:35 -0400

High-speed wireless networking, courtesy of Intel, is one of several tools being used in the evacuation and reconstruction of the devastated area hit by Hurricane Katrina. It's all part of a project in which wireless Internet providers, as part of an organization called called Part-15.org, are collaborating with the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to deploy WiFi hotspots at areas hit by disasters. In this case, Intel is providing WiMax solution pieces for a network being established at San Antonio's decommissioned Kelly Air Force Base. Article