72-mile smackdown!: The HPWREN folks who created a 72-mile link between San Diego and San Clemente Island using 2.4 GHz equipment have dropped their power output after being told by Computerworld readers that they were radically over the EIRP limits for the band. The link is still holding, however, just at a lower speed.

10:43:05 PM    comment   

Companies deploying on-the-road wireless security: Companies are getting smart about mobile users' secure access to the networks, and deploying VPN access themselves or purchasing peace of mind through service providers.

10:06:02 PM    comment   

More unlicensed, more powerful: Sen. Barbara Boxer et al are promoting a new bill to open up unlicensed spectrum with more powerful transmission options to speed broadband outside of urban areas. It's clear from the mom-and-pop WISPs that are using current generation equipment that adding better transmission options would spur a new business cycle, and potentially regional companies, who would treat the rural market as an affordable and profitable way to provide broadband. Broadband isnt' a panacea, but connecting people with few resources to many has seemed to help more remote businesses and communities. However, Bill Gates recently discovered that his foundation's attempts to offer computers and Internet access in rural libraries hasn't so far stemmed the brain drain. (Of course, providing or offering wireless to people's homes is a far different proposition.)

9:51:51 PM    comment   

Verizon enters the business services market for WLANs: Verizon will offer an extremely useful service for small to medium sized networks by installing wireless LANs at a reasonable price. The question is: are they hiring expertise or training installers?

9:45:53 PM    comment   

Proliferation of choice may confuse: As if to prove my point above, this article appears in Wired News today. With so many flavors of 802.11 networks now or shortly available, businesses and consumers may have a hard time sorting out what they need.

9:42:13 PM    comment