With 802.11n still lurking in the distance, wireless players are stepping up efforts to wed cellular and wireless local area networks while earnestly preparing Wi-Fi for wedded bliss. The “n” protocol will not be ready for a few years, but some carriers have set their eyes on the revenue opportunities the marriage of Wi-Fi and cellular could present.
These carriers are among the 14 companies, including infrastructure suppliers and handset vendors, that have come together to publish a set of open specifications for extending mobile voice and data services over wireless local area networks.
The companies that make up the Unlicensed Mobile Access group include Alcatel Corp., AT&T Wireless Services Inc., BT plc, Cingular Wireless L.L.C, L.M. Ericsson, Kineto Wireless Inc., Motorola Inc., Nokia Corp., Nortel Networks Ltd., MmO2, Rogers Wireless Inc., Siemens AG, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications L.P. and T-Mobile USA Inc. The specifications the group aims to create will enable carriers to deploy solutions for easy roaming and hand-offs between cellular and Wi-Fi.
“There has been no shortage of one-off fixed-mobile products and solutions over the years,” said Peter Jarich, senior analyst, wireless infrastructure with Current Analysis. “The release of the UMA specifications is especially important because they point to a critical mass of carrier interest in convergence while finally providing vendors with an open set of specifications to build on.”
With increasing interest in Wi-Fi, carriers have been making efforts to connect cellular infrastructure to the short-range networks to take advantage of a plethora of applications, especially in the multimedia arena, which will be available in broadband markets.
Analyst Fritz Jordan said industry has yet to unveil a chipset that integrates all wireless technology modes, including Wi-Fi and cellular and PCS in handsets, noting the a, b, g chipsets that he calls “Tri-Wi-Fi” are still below the power of 802.11n. He noted roaming is still an issue with Wi-Fi, although he added industry is working on other protocols like 802.11r, which may help anticipate open channels for roaming.
Intel has unveiled a tri-mode chipset for Wi-Fi technology, joining the fray of other companies competing in that space. The chipset covers 802.11 a, b and g, the three protocols for Wi-Fi. Other chip companies like Broadcom, Atheros and Texas Instruments Inc. have similar products.
The Wi-Fi Alliance said it has announced the first round of products certified for Wi-Fi Protected Access, otherwise known as WPA2. These products are set to hit the market later this month. The companies with certified products include Atheros Inc., Broadcom Inc., Cisco Systems Inc. and Intel Corp.
The WPA2, which is based on the 802.11i standard, builds on its predecessor, the WPA. “Enterprise security needs are not a stationary target, and the Wi-Fi Alliance is committed to certification programs that meet evolving security requirements,” said Frank Hanzlik, Wi-Fi Alliance managing director. “WPA2 is ideally suited for enterprises in both public and private.”
WPA2 is two full generations beyond the Wireless Equivalency Protocol that pre-dated WPA, Hanzlik noted.
He said the security protocols sets the stage for Wi-Fi multimedia services, which will allow operators in both fixed-line and wireless to enter the Wi-Fi space. This will enable WMM, also known as 802.11e, to provide the kind of services cellular offers under the label of multimedia services.
Intel said its new 802.11a,b,g chipset supports 802.11i for security and comes with updated software for ease of use, including its Intel Smart Wireless Solution.
“The technology detects and shows all available networks and offers advanced profile management so users can more easily connect to different wireless networks while at home, in the office or on the road,” said Intel.
