If you don't mind me paraphrasing, I would suggest saying that "5 GHz is very strategic; the question is not an if, but when". Now that 802.11n is around the corner I think people executing on purchases this summer might be go for a dual-band 802.11abg solution, but starting this fall I think anyone considering an upgrade or a first-buy thinking very hard about 802.11n.
As mentioned in my other e-mail, 5 GHz provides more channel selection, usually experiences less interference (less devices in that range than 2.4 GHz), resulting better overall capacity and performance. The Wi-Fi Alliance does have certification for 802.11a: http://www.wi-fi.org/pressroom_overview.php?newsid=57 Regards, Frank -----Original Message----- From: Jonn Martell [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, June 17, 2007 4:16 PM To: WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU Subject: Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] The strategic importance of 802.11a 802.11a is very strategic; the question is not an if, but a when. The regulatory bodies released new spectrum in the 5.35 to 5.475 GHz with better power capabilities than what was seen in the fledging UNI-1 (5.15 to 5.25). So, if you throw away UNI-1, add the four non-overlap channels in UNI-2 (5.25-5.35) to the four channels in the 5.8 GHz range and add the 11 new channels, you magically get a *lot* of real estate not available in the 2.4 GHz range. It's the best way to support a high number of users and applications such as VoWLAN and the reason why pico cells will win out in the long term (IMHO). With the new spectrum comes the requirement to use dynamic frequency selection (DFS) and Transmit Power Control (TPC) which means better battery life, less interference and generally a better RF environment. Not sure if there is a Wi-Fi certification for the "new" 802.11a products but there should be. I'd be very careful to deploy products that can't support the new frequencies in the 5 GHz range, if you do, make sure it's at "throw away" pricing... .............................................................. Jonn Martell, Martell Consulting CWNT, CWNE, CWSP, CWAP, Wireless# [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.martell.ca On 6/17/07, Tom Zeller <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > In considering a major wireless overhaul, we're having a serious discussion > about the real importance of 802.11a in upcoming dual-mode cellular/WiFi > devices. Our current WLAN is b/g. > > 802.11a seems to be in about 10% of our laptops, judging from an > experimental AP we put in one of our busiest sites. I understand it is now > part of the Centrino set, so I would expect that to increase over time. > > The real question seems to be the role of dual-mode phones and the support > of voice over WiFi. > > 1) Is support of voice over WiFi really strategic and why? One could argue > that cell phones are sufficient in most locations. Getting "free" voice > over WiFi vs cell minutes doesn't seem to be worth the cost alone. Of > course, WiFi adds coverage for such devices in the interiors of buildings. > Does that justify a rather large additional cost for infrastructure? > > 2) If the answer to the above question is "yes", is installation of 802.11a > going to be important for mobile voice devices, especially dual-modes? > There seem to be very few 802.11a dual mode devices on the market now, > though I read there will be at least 80 more certified this year. > > For many vendors, the additional cost of adding 11a to the mix is > substantial. The cost of denser deployment (we currently have what I think > of as edge-to-edge coverage, with little overlap) is also non-trivial. > > I would be interested to hear other's opinions on these questions. > > Tom Zeller > Indiana University > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > 812-855-6214 > > ********** > Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/. > -- ........................................................... Jonn Martell, BSc, PMP Director of Technical Operations Fairleigh Dickenson University - Vancouver [EMAIL PROTECTED] 877-338-8002 604-802-2022 (cell) ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/. ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/.
