The study praised 802.11b technology as "the sweet spot in wireless" and said many major technology product manufacturers are rushing to include it in the next generation of devices.
According to Merrill Lynch, Toshiba, Dell, IBM and Compaq are promoting 802.11b-enabled laptops, Intel has dropped HomeRF for 802.11b, Microsoft has decided to include 802.11b but not Bluetooth support in Windows XP, and Handspring has been talking about 802.11b wireless capability into its personal digital assistants (PDAs), not Bluetooth.
The study cited five reasons why it believes 802.11b is catching on. First, it is interoperable today. Second, it is cheap and getting cheaper. Third, it is as fast as most current desktop connection.
Fourth, the study continued, 802.11b is based on the LAN (local area network) standard Ethernet, "which means millions of operations people know it and trust it." Finally, 802.11b is seen as secure for enterprises wanting to access their networks.
No matter which wireless technology takes mobile communication forward, the study said numerous challenges await. These include billing, maintenance, working with existing 2G systems and interference.
"We believe the most likely usage in the next few years will be: (1) laptops with 802.11b for networking and Bluetooth for cable replacement inside; (2) cellphones with 2.5G for voice and SMS outside and possibly Bluetooth inside (to your wired desktop phone); and (3) PDAs with 802.11b for networking inside and outside, with Bluetooth for cable replacement," the study predicted.
You better get Engineer over to Merrill Lynch's offices so that he can explain the "Hopeless Economic and Business Model" that 802.11 fails to provide!!
These delays, according to Merrill Lynch, are combining with telecom debt issues and the rise of other wireless technologies to "put the squeeze on 3G.
Maurice: Here's more of that WDMA Protocol (We Don't have Money Anymore) technology I was talking about 6 months ago over on SI G*
PCSTEL |
