Wireless Networking

Verizon 4G network coming

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 06:59:57 -0500

Cellular-phone carrier Verizon has announced that it is building its next-generation network based on LTE (Long-Term Evolution) technology, making it the latest carrier to move toward genuine high-speed (100 Mbps) mobile network technology and leaving Sprint and Alltel as the only significant carriers in the U.S. sticking with CDMA as their network technology. The move should mean more non-phone devices with cellular network capabilities built in and an easier path for Verizon customers who want to go global roaming with the new phones.

For more on the new Verizon network technology:
- Read the hands-on heads-up at CIO-Today

WiFi or cellular data?

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 06:59:57 -0500

If you're an enterprise IT director, one of the most important questions that you face is how will your employees' mobile devices connect to your enterprise applications? When away from the office, will they take advantage of WiFi connections, will they use a high-speed cellular data network, or will you issue devices that do both? As products for the fixed-mobile data convergence market increase in number, carriers and vendors will find it necessary to add functions and features to attract customers. Look for fleet-management, increased security, and custom application support to be among the features added to attract your business to one network or another.

For more on the WiFi or cell question:
- Read the hands' on analysis at WirelessWeek

Sprint slowdown can't stop WiMAX

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 06:59:58 -0500

The Sprint WiMAX build-out has been seen as a key ingredient in the rapid growth of WiMAX for wireless broadband connectivity. Sprint's latest quarterly results have led to some key jangling though, as analysts and customers wondered whether the company would continue to see WiMAX as a critical investment for the future. Sprint has rushed to calm fears, stating that the company will not sacrifice WiMAX construction for quarterly results. It's welcome news for potential customers waiting for the wireless future.

For more on Sprint's continued WiMAX build-out:
- Read the news analysis at CIO-Today

Newest 3G: WiMAX

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 06:59:56 -0400

It's a common question that works to slow down adoption of new technology: Will the technology be adopted and become standard? In the case of WiMAX wireless networks, this week brought us closer to "yes." The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has adopted WiMAX as part of its 3G standards--an adoption that should make getting ready for WiMAX much more a strategy, and much less a gamble. The new high-speed, high-power wireless networking technology has already begun building steam in the market, and this news should make it pick up speed toward broad acceptance.

For more on the newest 3G standard:
- read the technology report at WirelessWeek

First WiFi Blackberry

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 06:59:58 -0400

The evolution of wireless clients from RIM continues as the Blackberry 8820 hits the street with quad band GMS/EDGE network connectivity and long-awaited WiFi capabilities. In addition to the features that users expect from a Blackberry, the 8820 will support unlicensed mobile access (UMA), so that calls can be transferred from the cellular network to a WiFi network, with no impact on the user. The handoff is becoming a must for dual-mode phones, and the 8820 should be a strong competitor in the space.

For more on the new Blackberry:
- read the new product news at CIO-Today
- and check out a photo of the new handset at DailyTechRag

iPhone transforms AT&T network

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 06:59:56 -0400

The iPhone has certainly had an impact on customer's wallets, on Apple's Mac OS release schedule and on competitors like Nokia and Motorola. Now, it seems that the device has also had an impact on AT&T's cellular network. AT&T says that network upgrades go on all the time, but 20,000 new radios seems like a significant change for a single new device. The upgrades are having an impact beyond the iPhone, though--customer churn is low, and customer satisfaction is high. With results like these, the iPhone could prove important to AT&T for a long time to come.

For more on AT&T's network upgrades:
- read the business analysis at WirelessWeek

The end of Ethernet?

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 06:59:58 -0400

Does the promise of high-speed 802.11n wireless networking mean the end of network cables in your office? On one level, it seems unlikely: even at its best, 802.11n is 180 shared Mbps versus the 1 Gbps switched bandwidth of most current Ethernet connections. The bandwidth-only discussion, though, ignores the mobile promise that 802.11n brings to the table. When you combine 802.11n's mobility and speed, you may well have a package that's good enough for enterprise deployment.

For more on 802.11n's impact on the enterprise:
- read the technology assessment at NetworkWorld

Mobile users not security savants

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 06:59:57 -0400

Ready to be surprised? A recent InsightExpress study says that many wireless networking users don't know the first thing about wireless security, and don't follow good security practices even if they know what they are. Security experts and network managers alike recognize that endpoint security is critical, but surveys like this one indicate that they're still not educating users on the importance of staying secure.

For more on the importance of being secure:
- read the survey report at eWeek

3G goes everywhere

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 06:59:56 -0400

In movies and on television, a Blackberry or Treo is the sure sign of an executive or highly-paid professional. Increasingly,though 3G phones are finding their way into the hands of tradespeople and non-professional workers. The democratization of 3G is rapidly becoming one of the most significant trends in wireless networking. What does it mean for your business?

For more on the spread of 3G:
- read the complete article at NetworkWorld

Least surprising study: IT pros have security worries

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 06:59:56 -0400

In what must be one of the least-surprising study conclusions of the year, embedded-security firm KoolSpan reports that IT professionals are concerned with wireless security. As is often the case, the details of the study are more interesting than the big picture. In this case, the details paint a picture of IT professionals most concerned about laptop users who send confidential information in the clear across public WiFi connections. It also says that those same professionals are taking a hard look at cell-phone data networks to provide performance and security for their users. Is there growth in the market? So far, the survey reports, only 8 percent of organizations have deployed truly secure wireless networks.

For more on the concerns of IT pros:
- read the complete article at WirelessWeek