Wi-Fi-Enabled Notebooks To Go
MobileStar
Network Corp., a provider of broadband wireless Internet access in
public locations, recently announced an agreement with Hewlett-Packard
to provide customers with access in its coverage areas across the U.S.
Wi-Fi-enabled—IEEE 802.11b—HP Omnibook and HP Pavilion notebook
PC users will now have the option of wireless access at MobileStar’s more
than 400 public access locations (PALs) throughout the United States including
hotels, airports, conference centers, coffee houses and restaurants.
The agreement includes co-marketing and cross-promotional activities,
giving buyers of HP Omnibook and HP Pavilion notebook PCs the opportunity
to activate MobileStar service at the time of purchase or any time thereafter.
New users of the HP Wi-Fi-enabled notebooks will have the option to subscribe
to MobileStar and choose from an array of monthly service packages, ranging
from a metered Internet use to unlimited monthly access.
HP and MobileStar are addressing an important need in the increasingly
mobile business world,” said Amy Helland, an industry analyst with Cahners
In-Stat.
“As more businesses move operations online, their knowledge workers need
access to documents, presentations, e-mail and the Internet. Agreements
like this provide end-users with a hassle-free option to purchase wireless
capabilities and services.”
MobileStar utilizes the 802.11b wireless LAN standard to give mobile
professionals wireless access to the Internet or their corporate Intranet
at T-1 speeds in more than 400 locations across the country. The company
plans to expand its footprint across the country.
Multi-Port Sets Getting Ready To Go
Laptop computers with built-in wireless LAN capabilities are sure to drive
adoption of public access and campus WLANs. Compaq
Computer Corp. is leading the way with its innovative MultiPort
solution, first announced last December.
The latest news on the wireless MultiPort is that Compaq is using Prism
WLAN chip technology from market leader Intersil
Corp. to power the forthcoming IEEE 802.11b module.
The MultiPort interface is an embedded, fully compliant plug-and-play
USB port located in the back of a notebook display. The first Compaq laptops
with the MultiPort started shipping earlier this year. Compaq says the
wireless modules are coming soon.
Initially, 802.11b and Bluetooth modules will be available, but Compaq
plans to introduce other modules so the MultiPort can grow and adapt to
future wireless standards. Users will be able to hot swap between any
wireless or non-wireless module.
MultiPort wireless modules combine both antenna and radio transceiver
in a single card that fits into the notebooks panel. Omni-directional
signal reception provides maximum signal strength and receive sensitivity
while keeping PC Card and Mini-PCI slots free so MultiPort users do not
have to trade-off other functionality to get a wireless-enabled notebook.
Combining the radio transceiver and antenna solves many of the RF integration
issues facing the notebook industry, and eliminates the need for RF connectors
and coaxial cabling which can induce noise and cause signal loss.
Prism, according to Intersil, is the most highly integrated WLAN chip
set on the market today, delivering wireless Ethernet networking with
compliance to the IEEEs 802.11b global standard.
Optimized for high data rate (11 Mbps) performance, Prism-based systems
are feature-rich and provide fast, reliable performance in all types of
networking environments. The company says advanced design and process
technologies reduce power consumption, design complexity and total system
cost.
“The MultiPort module will support advanced roaming capabilities, allowing
mobile workers to freely move throughout a building while maintaining
a consistent network or Internet connection through a series of access
points,” said Ken Willett, Compaqs director of desktop and portable business.
“Intersils Prism WLAN technology enables MultiPort to transfer data
at speeds up to 11 megabits per second (Mbps). Additionally, MultiPort
will also provide ample bandwidth for video streaming, file transfers,
voice over IP (Internet Protocol) or other demanding applications used
in e-business transactions.”
Intersil was an integral member of the Compaq-led team that developed
the module, which it claims is the worlds first single-sided WLAN adapter
card with a USB interface. The card was specifically designed to fit into
the MultiPort bay on Compaq notebooks and is the result of collaboration
between Intersil, Intel,
Celestica and Compaq.
IEEE 802.11b Still Going Strong
The Wireless
Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WECA) announced recently that it
has certified over 100 Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b) products from 43 companies
since launching its program a little over a year ago.
WECA is a nonprofit organization formed in 1999 to certify interoperability
of Wi-Fi products and promote Wi-Fi as the global, wireless LAN standard
across all market segments.
The organization instituted a test suite that defines how member products
are tested to certify that they are interoperable with other Wi-Fi-certified
products. An independent test lab, Agilent’s Silicon
Valley Networking Lab Inc., conducts the testing.
When a product successfully passes the test, the company will be granted
the Wi-Fi seal of interoperability and may display the Wi-Fi logo on that
product and its corresponding collateral material.
The testing assures that products bearing the Wi-Fi logo will work with
each other.
WECA says that 112 products have now passed the rigorous certification
testing — making Wi-Fi the undisputed wireless LAN standard for the home,
enterprise and public spaces.
“At this point, there are no credible competing wireless LAN technologies
in the 2.4 GHz band left to challenge Wi-Fi,” said WECA’s acting marketing
chairman, David Cohen.
“Passing the 100-product mark in one year goes far beyond validation.
Wi-Fi has truly become an international technological phenomenon. Although
we had high hopes for Wi-Fi initially, we never anticipated this level
of growth in such a short time,” Cohen added.
Companies with WECA-certified Wi-Fi products include Compaq, Cisco,
3Com, Lucent
ORiNOCO, Acer,
Dell, Fujitsu,
IBM and
Intel.
