Talk:The Future of WiFi 2010

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Revision as of 18:29, 11 March 2010 by Borderweb (talk | contribs)
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Uncertainty of Wi-fi's Future

My Company provides Sys Admin for a couple of Wi-Fi Systems in RV Parks. I have noticed over the last couple of years that wi-fi equipment has been going up in price, not down, as it had in previous years. Specifically, I was on the hunt for a replacement sector antenna and found 15dbi 90 degree 2.4ghz units to be two to three times more expensive than they were when the original system was built 5 years ago. What was $50 - $75 is now $150 - $200. The variety of choices seems to have narrowed a great deal as well. "Wi-Fi is Freedom" but our freedom may be comming under attack. Look for government to regulate the spectrum, and begin to require licenses for open air wi-fi. Watch parts and supplies become more scarce, more expensive, and require certain professional credentials for purchase. (Amps are already there). Behind this push will be communication companies seeking individual subscription accounts(ie connecting your computer to the cell system via your paid individual account, as opposed to allowing an access point to be shared by mutiple users -free - or payed to the AP provider) Follow the money. The push will come through two major areas:

1. Communication companies lobbying congress. 2. Communication companies flexing their finacial muscle in the wi-fi equipment market.

A third strategy is the widespread deployment of Wi-fi enabled cell phones, which allow a user to save the minutes on their account by switching to a wi-fi connection instead. A great idea on the surface, however many wi-fi hot spots and many Internet Connection Providers limit upstream bandwidth to curtail abuse. While a single business class connection can easily handle the telephone needs of the business, without disrupting internet access, VoIP continues to pose significant bandwith issues, particularly on the upstream side. Wi-Fi enabled Cell phones will turn every wi-fi hotspot into a public access cell tower, and few, if any, are designed, or significantly connected, to handle this kind of traffic. This will result in a "branding"..... a "perceived" "poor wi-fi performance" reputation... a key strategy for the communication companys.

Rodney Lyman