Can Wi-Fi challenge WANs?
Consider this: Soon we will have at least one, and possibly more, wide-area wireless network in the US capable of DSL and higher speeds to notebook computers, PDAs and wireless phones. Data speeds of up to 2.4Mbps will be possible, and truly mobile speeds of 384Kbps will be commonplace to a vehicle moving at fifty miles per hour. If you believe that Wi-Fi will challenge these wide-area networks you are not living in the real world. Wi-Fi systems have their place. They can provide higher-speed access to more people in a confined area than WANs. They can provide near-desktop capabilities to fixed portable devices in airline clubs, at airline gates, in hotels, in conference centers and in coffee shops. However, Wi-Fi cannot provide ubiquitous coverage across the US and those who believe it can haven’t done the math. There is a need to tie all Wi-Fi access points to a back-end network, unless they “talk” to each other. While WANs are capable of providing wireless data service to the “last
