A New Wireless Standard

First, there was 802.11a, then 802.11b, then 802.11g. Now, there is a proposal for 802.11n. These are the names of the wireless equipment standards so we can connect our computers to each other and to the Internet when we travel.

The good things about these standards is that each new version increases the speed and amount of data that can be transmitted at any one time...and they are backward compatible (not true of 802.11a, but nobody bought that one anyway). In other words, my laptop has an 802.11g wireless receiver and it will work fine with any equipment using the slower 802.11b standard.

The new 802.11n standard is not officially certified or even finalized yet, although there is equipment available that uses it. It is backward compatible and it is faster. ..probably about four times faster than 802.11g. In addition, 802.11n will use a technology called MIMO (multiple-in, multiple-out) , which should improve the range and throughput of 802.11n products so that it can be used as a replacement for Ethernet cabling in an office and as a way to transmit video around a house without interrupted playback.

In January, the IEEE approved a draft version of 802.11n, after much controversy and infighting among chipmakers. In the last few months, several products have emerged on the market claiming to comply with the 802.11n draft. But, now that products are out in the market, groups testing draft 802.11n are finding that the technology has some problems. I won't bore you with the details, but suffice it to say that the two major testing groups that have written reports both recommend that you steer clear of buying any 802.11n products at this time.

If history is any guideline, these problems will all be worked out and the new technology will work just fine not too long from now. I just wanted to give you a heads-up that a new wireless standard is on its way.

PS - If you are using wireless strictly to connect to the Internet, you don't need to worry about upgrading. Even the slowest wireless connection runs faster than the Internet, even with fiber.