Yes, Frank... extremely so. However, I don't know if the ultimate wireless fabric or topology design (how it will play with other, say, fiber bacbone-based architectures in a hybrid mode) has been identified yet.
For example, and this is not quite so futuristic, but it demonstrates some possibilities... I read a release yesterday put out by one of the modem manufacturers...
(Zoom - see link zoomtel.com )
...which demonstrates the ability of a cable modem to communicate with end points (PCs, appliances, etc.) throughout a residence through wireless channels.
An extension of this might possibly lend itself to an architecture that is supported in the last 500 feet to the residence by wireless means, in some way substituting wireless in place of the black coax that now exists in cable modem or even deep fiber ILEC architectures of VDSL services. The point I'm making here is that wireless need not be viewed as a homogeneous delivery platform. Instead, and IMO, its more profound impact will be as an integrated component with other next generation technologies to meet specific point solutions.
There are other such as-yet-untried designs which I'm sure will be attempted at some point. Yes, wireless is being examined quite closely right now, and a lot of hope is being held out for its future success.
Regards, Frank Coluccio |
