Break free: a user's guide to wireless technology today—and tomorrow

California CPA, May, 2005 by Bob Gaby

It's no secret that wireless technology continues to change the way we access information and conduct business. Consider the following:

* 95 percent of all notebooks shipped include Wi-Fi;

* 50 million hotspot users worldwide;

* 74 percent of mobile workers will have VPN access by the end of 2005; and

* By 2006, more than 113,000 hotspots will exist worldwide.

Today, users rely on wireless technology to e-mail, transfer files and browse the internet. It's useful, but tends to be slow. Unless you live in a major metropolitan area or have deep pockets, high-speed wireless connectivity is only a dream.

This dream, however, will soon become a reality, thanks to recent and planned advancements in Bluetooth, cellular and Wi-Fi technologies, along with the emergence of WiMAX technology.

High-speed wireless will allow users to access corporate networks, e-mail and browse web pages just about anywhere using a laptop, PDA or cell phone--at a price that won't break the bank.

With this prospect in mind, let's review the four types of wireless technology, including how they are used and what improvements are on the horizon. They are:

* Personal Area Network;

* Local Area Network;

* Metropolitan Area Network; and

* Wide Area Network.

PERSONAL AREA NETWORK

Commonly known as Bluetooth, PAN technology is used for short-range communication (10 meters or less) between devices, such as phone to PC, printer to PC and handheld to PC.

The most common application is the wireless headset for a cell phone. Bluetooth 1.2 devices can communicate at speeds up to 1 mbps (megabytes per second). Bluetooth 2.0 will be three times as fast, backwards compatible and consume less power, enabling users to connect several devices--mouse, keyboard and headphones--to their computer with less latency and fewer delays.

Apple already has equipped its latest notebook computers with Bluetooth 2.0 technology.

LOCAL AREA NETWORK

Just when you thought you had mastered the alphabet soup of wireless standards (802.11a, b and g), a new standard is about to emerge that will leave them all in the dust.

LAN technology, also known as Wi-Fi, is about to take a quantum leap with significantly improved range and throughput. Using 802.11n technology, individuals will be able to read e-mail, browse the internet and stream video anywhere in the home or office.

Wireless video surveillance, video streaming, voice over IP and large file transfer finally will be a reality--at least that is the promise of the new 802.11n technology.

This technology will use what is known as multiple input multiple output, or MIMO, and will be backwards compatible with 802.11b and "g" devices.

While the "n" standard remains unratified, manufacturers aren't waiting for ratification (expected in late 2006) to get their products to market. Belkin already has released their device, the Wireless Pre-N router.

D-Link, Linksys and Netgear will follow with their MIMO-based products in the coming weeks.

Belkin boasts that its Pre-N router ($159.99 list price) and Pre-N network cards ($109.99 list price) will provide 800 percent greater coverage and 600 percent greater speed than their "g" devices.

A note of caution, no 802.11 standard exists and two separate groups have submitted their own 802.11n proposal. While both proposals include backward compatibility to the "b" and "g" standards, they are not compatible with each other.

Therefore, early adopters need to realize that the platform they select could be obsolete in less than a year.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

METROPOLITAN AREA, WIDE AREA NETWORKS

Due to third generation, or 3G cell phone networks, high-speed wireless (WAN technology) is springing up everywhere--from metropolitan areas to suburbs, and from house boats to airplanes.

3G networks move data two to three times faster than dial-up phone lines, allowing users faster download of video, audio, e-mail and web content.

The 3G market is controlled by two cell phone companies in the United States--Cingular and Verizon. As a result of its merger with AT&T, Cingular offers two technologies while Verizon offers one.

For use in major metropolitan areas, Verizon's EV-DO service is the best available. With DSL-like speeds, it is the fastest cellular-based wireless service available. If coverage is needed beyond metropolitan areas, consider Cingular's EDGE network. Although slower than EV-DO (speeds are about twice that of dial-up), EDGE has the broadest nationwide coverage.

In the future, Cingular will phase out EDGE for UTMS, which is slightly faster and is only available in Seattle, San Diego, Phoenix, Dallas and Detroit.

Once deployed nationwide (scheduled for 2006), UTMS will offer some distinct advantages over EV-DO. While EV-DO will most likely be the faster service, UTMS will win on features such as simultaneous transmission of voice and data and worldwide adoption (UTMS is already available in several countries).

Both Verizon and Cingular can deliver internet access to phones, PDAs and laptops. Phone and PDA plans range from $24.99 to $44.99 per month, while service to a laptop requires a PC card and monthly service fees from $74.99 to $79.99. If you can afford it, the PC card is the best option.