Hi, Ray - I think TI made a good buy, in Alantro. As far as Wi-LAN is concerned, they initially made a foray into IEEE 802.11b, then withdrew. IMO that was a wise decision.
The 2.4 GHz spectrum is going to get pretty busy, what with 802.11a, 802.11b, and Bluetooth frequency-hopping devices, possibly with increased range and transmit power.
Wi-LAN has signed deals to distribute product: to Philips (HAVi) for home entertainment at 2.4 GHz; to Telia at 2.4 GHz, and to Tele2 UK at 3.6 GHz; however their primary focus is on IEEE 802.11a, and ETSI BRAN HIPERLAN/2 at 5.x GHz.
They will also have product in MMDS (2.5 GHz) and intend to provide product at other frequencies:
"Within the year, Wi-LAN will unveil several new wireless networking products built with its patented W-OFDM technology for service providers holding licenses for all frequencies as they become available.
Starting in the fourth quarter of 2000, Wi-LAN will rollout
32-Mbps, W-OFDM-technology products for the MCS and 3.6 GHz
frequency bands followed shortly by products for the MMDS and 3.9 GHz frequency bands. This year, Wi-LAN will demonstrate wireless data rates of 40 Mbps and 90 Mbps for rollout in products in 2001. In 2001, the company will demonstrate 155 Mbps capability."
www2.cdn-news.com
There are also indications that WOFDM may find its way, via the HAVi consortium, (Philips, Sony, Thomson Multimedia, Sharp, Panasonic, Grundig, Hitachi, and Toshiba) bridging into a more universal networking standard through Jini and/or Universal Plug And Play. The reasons for this possibility lie in the coupling of WOFDM bandwidth at 90 Mbps, and 155 Mbps with IEEE 1394(Firewire), thus "future-proofing" the technology, and allowing RF networks with the capability of transporting multiple data streams, including video, simultaneously. The great question mark here, IMO, lies in the ability to work out some of the contentious Java issues; whether a kinder, gentler Microsoft would be willing to bend toward a more open standard is probably key. However, the approach of Linux solutions may give MSFT some impetus to move.
havi.org
WRT the preceding paragraph, I do not know, but I suspect, that the background support of Microsoft at the OFDM Forum lies at the center of a wish to finally achieve a universal set of RF protocols/standards to which it can port its OS and software.
'The good news is that 802.11 is being regarded as becoming more of a real marketplace, the bad news, more competition.'
Fair enough, Ray, but I think many have a view of Wi-LAN's initiatives that is one-dimensional.
While I understand the view of the cynics, given the current tidal wave of hype in the comms area, the fact is that Wi-LAN has already signed significant deals, worth hundreds of millions of dollars. As an investor, I note the important fact that Wi-LAN has never failed to do what it said it would do.
There are sound, objective reasons to examine the potential of this stock, and this technology. The following link may provide a starting point:
www2.cdn-news.com
Best regards,
Jim |
