Networking technology is all set to change… drastically. And the good news is that the change will be full of opportunities for you, in the form of Wi-Fi or wireless fidelity.
p____p So what is Wi-Fi? To keep it short, it is a wireless technology that will replace all those wired LANs � networking specialists and systems integrators please take note.
p____p Wi-Fi offers cheap wireless communications using open spectrum (2.4 Ghz and 5 Ghz) at speeds ranging from 11 Mbps (802.11b) to 54 Mbps (802.11g and 802.11a). Since the union government has de-licensed Wi-Fi in India, you no longer need any license to set up a network.
p____p So expect notebooks, PDAs and cellular phones to connect to Wi-Fi networks. Also expect a huge demand from those who would like to upgrade to Wi-Fi and bid good-bye to wired LANs.
p____p Wi-Fi seems to be quite cheap. The cost of wireless access points has fallen to less than 100 dollars, while the cost of Wi-Fi cards required in computers is down to less than 50 dollars. By next year, the cost of Wi-Fi enabling a computer is expected to be lesser that 10 dollars (Rs
500), as companies are expected to integrate the technology on to the motherboard itself. You will see PCs equipped with Wi-Fi cards or built onto the motherboards of new machines.
p____p So how does it work? Typically, a Wi-Fi wireless LAN consists of a fixed wireless base station transceiver (access point) that provides connectivity within an area called �microcell�. Each base station is connected to the wired backbone so that users connected to the base station in a �microcell�.
p____p Microcells may cover even the whole campus of a university. Users can instanty connect wirelessly from their PCs, laptops or personal digital assistants (PDAs) having wireless LAN cards.
p____p According to industry analysts, using Wi-Fi and a shared broadband connection will also bring down the cost of connectivity for users. Today, it costs Rs 500 per month or more for individual users via dial-up or cable. Wi-Fi will not only increase the connection speeds (from 56/64 Kbps
to a 1-2 Mbps), but also reduce the cost to Rs 100-250 per month.
p____p Which is why enterprises have already begun adopting the technology. Hotels like Le Meredian have already gone Wi-Fi. Expect the financial sector to follow suit very soon. Though the Wi-Fi market in India is still in its infancy, it is expected to grow by around 40 per cent to 50 per cent
annually, according to independent estimates.
p____p It looks like Wi-Fi will be both a volumes, as well as margins game. You couldn�t have asked for more.