Like it or not, standards are what enable the IT industry, and networking in particular, to flourish. But it takes time to agree standards and there will always be vendors wanting to bring products to market ahead of those agreements, as is happening now with the 802.11n wireless specification. Via [vnunet.com]
Most wireless applications make use of unicast packets for transporting information directly from one point to another. For example, an interaction with the Internet makes use of unicast packets when you browse the Web or synchronize email. Via [wi-fiplanet.com]
T-Mobile has struck a deal with six international wireless operators to simplify roaming and billing for travelers using Wi-Fi abroad, the company said Wednesday. Via [internetnews.com]
The ZigBee Alliance is set to ratify its specification later this quarter, complete with support for mesh networking as well as security provisions. Via [extremetech.com]
Cisco Systems Wednesday unveiled a line of enterprise-grade multi-band wireless access points that include beefed up security. It also said it is adding intrusion detection capabilities for its entire Structured Wireless-Aware Network (SWAN) wireless LAN framework. Via [crn.com]
Although concrete barricades block physical access to many roads and buildings throughout the Washington, D.C., region, a Federal Computer Week team discovered that information and systems at many defense and civilian agencies are left exposed through wireless networks. Via [usatoday.com]
A high-speed wireless network that covers most of downtown Seattle is being rolled out by Internet service provider Speakeasy. Via [seattlepi.nwsource.com]
Nigel Ballard, Wi-Fi guru on his Web site and wireless director for Matrix Networks of Portland Oregon, had a nuanced message for attendees at ISPCON. Drawing on his experience with the WiMAX Forum, he described his hopes for a technology that he feels can solve the well-known flaws in Wi-Fi. Via [wi-fiplanet.com]
The wireless replacement for USB, ultra wide-band (UWB), will be ready by late December and without the formal approval of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, a leading group promoting the revolutionary technology has promised. Via [pcworld.com]
Could the lowly 802.11b become a 99Mbps speed-demon? How about 802.11a breaking the 1Gbps barrier? Difficult to imagine? Israel-based Extricom says its possible—if Wi-Fi would just stop interfering. Via [wi-fiplanet.com]
The nation's top telephone regulators on Tuesday further deregulated Internet phone services. Via [news.com.com]
Vonage and Linksys have announced the availability of a Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 phone ports bundled with Vonage's service.
A decision by the Federal Communications Commission today to solidify the exemption of Internet calling from certain regulations could also cause tumult in the cellphone industry. Via [online.wsj.com]
Cambridge Silicon Radio's first non-Bluetooth chips aim to get Wi-Fi into kit such as mobile phones and media players. Via [news.zdnet.co.uk]
A report by the Broad Group said there are now 27,000 wi-fi hotspots in Europe, but tariffs are still higher here than in the USA or Asia. Via [theinquirer.net]