Instead of racing down separate standardization paths, wireless chipmakers Broadcom Corp. and Intel Corp. have joined a consortium of Wi-Fi players to form the Enhanced Wireless Consortium, which says it aims to accelerate the IEEE’s 802.11n standards-development process by promoting an industry-supported specification for next-generation wireless local area networking products.
The IEEE standards-development process is set to wrap up work on 802.11n sometime in late 2006, but the EWC hopes its efforts will speed the process.
The new Wi-Fi 802.11n standard is said to be up to 10 times faster than existing Wi-Fi technologies, but the new standard will be compatible with the existing standard, allowing Wi-Fi devices of the past to work with newer products. The EWC said it hopes its specification will benefit consumers by ensuring interoperability of next-generation wireless products across a variety of brands and platforms.
Network equipment providers Cisco Systems Inc., Sony Corp. and Toshiba Corp. also have signed on with the EWC, which plans to make its first draft product specification available for public download. Furthermore, the consortium said that if the specification is ratified by the IEEE, EWC members have agreed to make their intellectual property necessary to the specification available to all parties on reasonable and nondiscriminatory terms.
The consortium said its specification defines technologies that address the PC and networking equipment market, as well as mobile applications, and supports speeds of up to 600 megabits per second. Members of the EWC will continue to work within the IEEE Task Group “N” to facilitate a ratified 802.11n standard.
Not everyone in the industry is convinced that the EWC’s primary goal is to help speed up the IEEE’s ratification of 802.11n.
“This seems like an effort to rush to market with a closed standard, and possibly delay the standards-specification process of the IEEE,” said Greg Raleigh, president and chief executive of Airgo Networks Inc. “Developing proposals for an 802.11n standard should be an open process, not something done behind closed doors, which is what the EWC is doing.”
Airgo develops Multiple Input Multiple Output chipset technology, which has been adopted as the foundation for defining the IEEE’s 802.11n standard.
The Wi-Fi Alliance stressed that interoperability for consumers is best for the industry.
“There is a lot of excitement in the industry right now and many companies are eager for a 802.11n standard to be ratified by the IEEE,” said Frank Hanzlik, managing director of the Wi-Fi Alliance. “We think the IEEE is the best organization to develop standards for this industry. This is a complex technology and interoperability between products is going to be the key to consumers having a positive experience. Coming out with products prior to a common standard being ratified is too risky, and may lead to negative experiences for consumers.”
Motorola Inc., which is not a member of the new consortium, said it supports an open standards-development process and said its primary concern is that previously agreed-upon handset standards not be overlooked as the 802.11n standard is developed.
“Participation in the open standards-development process with the IEEE helps Motorola ensure that the standard that is eventually ratified is a good evolution for handsets,” said Mike Pellon, vice president of standards at Motorola.
Intel spokesperson Amy Martin said Intel fully supports the IEEE standards-development process and only intends to speed up the process if possible. She also noted that participation in the EWC is open to any companies interested in developing a proposal for the IEEE’s consideration.
The Wi-Fi Alliance said it expects the IEEE group to ratify a proposal in late 2006 or early 2007, with certification from the Wi-Fi Alliance following within a few days of ratification.
