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WiFi: Un-wiring Networks
Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) is set to change the landscape
of PC and Internet computing worldwide, according to
PricewaterhouseCoopers’s Technology Forecast of
2002-2004. Also known as 802.11 networks, WiFi provides
enterprises and individuals the ability to set up networks
capable of fast Internet access on a wireless environment.
It is based on an open engineering standard; thus, offers
an attractive alternative to centrally controlled carrier
networks by big telecommunication firms.
WiFi technology is currently adopted in the US, Australia,
Caribbean, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany,
Israel and UK. Other would still have to establish
a business proposition for third generation (3G) networks.
In addition to high-speed, quality connection, cost
reduction is driving the growing popularity of this
technology in the US and other countries.
In the Philippines, Intel has an initiative to un-wire
local schools and encourage them to adopt wireless
technology. Unlike other countries where this technology
is an open standard, the Manila Electric Co. currently
owns the public band for WiFi. Interest groups, meanwhile,
are lobbying with the National Telecommunications
Commission to address this matter. (26/27 November
2002, www.inq7.net) |
