http://idg.net.nz/webhome.nsf look for "Wi-Fi threatened by sloppy users"
<http://idg.net.nz/webhome.nsf/UNID/3CEBE67D948E5469CC256BBB00791B2F!opendoc ument> David Watson, Auckland Indiscriminate use is threatening the viability of Wi-Fi wireless broadband technology. The ease of installation and potential speed of Wi-Fi, also known as IEEE standard 802.11b, is attracting more companies into providing broadband internet services but, because it operates at the unlicensed 2.4GHz frequency, interference becomes a problem when gear isn't properly configured. Warren Harding, an engineer with Auckland company Johnstone Dick and Associates, which manages the telecommunications facilities on the Sky Tower - including a Walker Wireless installation operating in the 2.4GHz range - says the spectrum in which Wi-Fi operates is capable of supporting multiple users. However, interference can occur when users on other sites "turn their data rates up to the max". There have been apparent cases of interference in Rotorua and Christchurch, referred to in postings to the nznog network operators' mailing list, but the network providers and users concerned are saying little about it. In both instances existing networks are reported to have been disrupted when TelstraClear began deploying its Tempest wireless broadband internet service. According to a posting to the list last year, several networks in Rotorua were disrupted by the arrival of Tempest, but TelstraClear spokesman Ralph Little says things have been resolved. "As soon as we identified that there was a problem we made a point of taking every step to correct it. Very infrequently, we'll find we share the same frequency and [if there is interference] will take every step to resolve it." Tempest is deployed in some instances in the 2.4GHz range. "There are a number of operators who do that. When we plan [to introduce Tempest] we see check to see what other operators are using it." Harding says the technology is such that it allows multiple users within range of each other, recognising data collisions. But even if an area of spectrum is quiet when a data burst is sent, there's no guarantee it will be quiet as the burst travels through the airwaves. "The problem is that people don't keep their data rates down and it busies up the band, increasing the chances of a particular channel being in use. You end up with data colliding and the system becomes unusable." Matthew Brown, chief executive of wireless consultancy B&R Holdings, says when wireless networks collide, it's usually because of poor installation. -- general wireless list, a bawug thing <http://www.bawug.org/> [un]subscribe: http://lists.bawug.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless
