Is Wi-Fi Heading Down the Wrong Track?" 802.11 Planet (05/09/02); Sutherland, Ed
FCC officials say that complaints about interference on the 2.4 GHz band from Wi-Fi devices is increasing along with the spread of the technology. Wi-Fi (802.11) operates in an unlicensed experimental section of radio bandwidth that is not subject to license control by the FCC. Still, television stations, amateur radio groups, and satellite communications companies have all lodged complaints with the FCC, as have end users, who often misunderstand the technical nature of Wi-Fi technology. The head of the Spectrum Management Working Group, Dewayne Hendricks, says Wi-Fi is merely an intermediary technology and has recommended that the FCC begin regulating its use more strictly before it further degrades the performance of licensed devices. However, Hendricks is a known backer of the competing Ultrawideband wireless standard that recently won approval for limited use by the FCC. Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance Chairman Dennis Eaton says criticisms of Wi-Fi are unfounded because the benefit of widespread wireless broadband is already apparent and Wi-Fi standards have interference protections built in. http://www.80211-planet.com/news/article/0,,1481_1107451,00.html -- general wireless list, a bawug thing <http://www.bawug.org/> [un]subscribe: http://lists.bawug.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless
