Next-Gen Wireless Roundup: 802.11n Progress Update & Samsung's 4G Demo

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

The 802.11n soap-opera continues. The Wi-Fi Alliance has decided to move forward with a <a href="http://www.infoworld.com/article/06/09/04/36NNwifi80211n_1.html">two-phase approval process for 802.11n devices</a> despite the fact that IEEE still hasn't signed-off on a final standard. In the initial phase of approval, the Wi-Fi Alliance would certify equipment against certain parts of the draft standard conjectured to remain unchanged. The second phase would certify devices based on the final approved standard, which is now expected in April 2008. Despite the lack of IEEE progress, most vendors and analysts appear to be in favor of this excelerated-market approach. Let's just hope they get that initial phase right or else many early-adopters could be stuck with non-compliant equipment.<br /><br />In other news, Samsung demonstrated 4G technology that would support mobile data rates of 100 MBps and fixed data rates exceeding 1 GBps. The demonstration showed a movie being downloaded in five seconds and 100 songs being downloaded in a little over two seconds. However, as <a href="http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060901-7647.html">Ars Technica</a> points out, it'll likely be quite some time before we see 4G released anywhere; 2G and 3G networks are still a "work-in-progress" in many areas. <a href="http://www.betanews.com/article/Ready_or_Not_Here_Comes_4G/1157146876">BetaNews</a> goes one step further in harvesting the question of whether 4G is really needed as many analysts have already considered the 3G rollout to have been a failure overall. Your thoughts?

[kzemach]

Personally, I'd like to see 4G. Or even reliable 3.5G. Or something faster than my current "slow."

Granted, I'm more of a power user; currently have the new Hermes (TyTN) phone from HTC which, if/when HSDPA is available, should have reasonable speeds. And yes, I use it for that. I need it as a wireless modem for my laptop while traveling to odd places. 4G would allow me to get more work done on the road, which means yes, I'd be willing to pay more for it.

I suppose the question is: is that a niche opinion, or one that will be mirrored by others? If cell phone companies actually DO build a 4G network, then they can start making set-top type boxes (with their modem cards inside) to offer internet access to the masses to compete with cable and wires. I know, I know... that's far down the road. But I for one would prefer to have one bill, from one company, for all my phone and internet needs. Fast. Simple.

[WyattEarp]

It's a nice idea and I too would love to see it. But. 3G hasn't even been implemented fully or to the masses. Carriers move so slow that by the time they do rollout 4G they will still be behind.
Until I see differently I have to see this as a lost cause.