The standard 802.11g (Wireless-G) has finally been approved.
June 12, IEEE approved the final version of the new standard 802.11g (Wireless-G) for wireless network. Components fullfilling a preliminary version of the standard have been sold for about six months. Now the market is expected to explode with support for Wireless-G in many components and gadgets. The prices, which are low already, will expect to continue to fall.
In the last few years many companies have tried to deliver products for wireless networks. The new solution is called Wi-Fi and has a theoretical speed of 11Mbps. In practice the speed has been less than half of the maximum level. The products that use the standard 802.11b have generally sold very well. In the beginning the products were most aimed at companies but recently we have seen a shift in marketing from many companies towards home users with faster Internet connections. They require faster transfer speeds than what 802.11b can provide. For wireless transfer of huge data amounts such as DVD-movies the speed of 802.11b is too slow.
Last year a faster standard called 802.11a (Wireless-A) with a maximum capacity of 54Mbps was introduced. In practice the speed is less than half of the maximum level. Unfortunately this standard is not compatible with 802.11b and it is relatively expensive. Now a much faster and backwards compatible solution called 802.11g (Wireless-G) has been introduced. The new solution is usually referred to as Wi-Fi has a maximum speed of 54Mbps and is compatible with 802.11b. In practice the speed is less than half of the maximum level.
A router of model Wireless-G has a RRP of about $150. Network cards for laptops and desktop computers are expected to come in at around $75. Some manufacturers such as D-Link, Linksys and Netgear are already selling products based on the new standard.
Related links:
The Inquirer: 802.11g wireless LANs standard gets totally ratified
PC Magazine: The Wireless LANscape
Small Net Builder Product Review
Linksys Instant Wireless-G Access Point (WAP54G)
Infoworld: It's too early for 11g
PC Magazine: 802.11g Wins for Wireless Networking
PC Magazine: 802.11g Rules the Floor
