How to make sure wireless nets provide good service

Every where you turn someone's deploying a wireless network--from the city and municipal arena to the small business down the block. But once up and running, the main assessment tool is usually user feedback--complaints about dead zones, dropped calls and poor transmission levels. But an enterprising new company is setting out to provide better assessment and review of quality of service with wireless networks. Uptown Service, a Colorado testing firm, uses a notebook with GPS and homegrown software to assess every 100 foot of service area. The cost, says the vendor is minimal compared to the heavy duty investments being made with wireless networking. Testing usually takes a few days depending on the network's size, and it includes reviewing everything from file and packet loss to coverage, data throughput and delays. Given that analysts expect wireless network spending will exceed $235 million this year and hit $460 million by 2007, good quality of service is an important aspect in making sure enterprises get a good return-on-investment. Article