Top Wireless Trends for 2008

Top Wireless Trends

Posted by samc on December 14th, 2007

EE Times lists Five wireless trends to watch in 2008

1. 802.11n
   Currently, it’s still in draft form and won’t be ratified until probably 2009, but so far that hasn’t stopped vendors like Cisco, Meru and others from shipping 11n-enabled products. 11n separates itself from its a/b/g counterparts by offering faster throughput — between 100 and 200 Mbps, and in some configurations up to 600 Mbps — and broader range. Experts have said that 11n is going to change Wi-Fi as the world knows it.
2. Fixed-Mobile Convergence and Dual Mode
   Already available by some manufacturers including BlackBerry and Nokia, Wi-Fi-enabled and dual-mode devices will become more mainstream, further pushing fixed-mobile convergence (FMC) to the forefront. FMC is essentially the tying together of voice, unified communications and wired and wireless networks for one seamless way to access information from anywhere at any time.
3. Web Services
   A Web services model can let workers access information from any Web-enabled device. Instead of carrying around a clunky laptop, or even a bulky smartphone, Mathias said mobile workers can borrow a friend’s or colleague’s device, as long as it’s Web-enabled, and access business applications safely and securely.
4. Sociology and Legislation
   2008 will see wireless device courtesy become a mandate as opposed to a suggestion, making overhearing loud conversations about anything and everything an uncomfortable piece of history. While signal jammers, devices used to block cell transmissions, are still illegal to install in most areas, Mathias said 2008 could see legislation to enforce appropriate and rational use of mobile devices in public.
5. Network Openness
   Verizon Wireless in November said it would open up its wireless network to outside devices and applications by sometime next year. AT&T quickly followed, claiming its network is and has been wide open. Open access, meaning devices from other manufacturers, can access other carriers’ networks, will shake up the wireless industry, which until openness begins next year was largely proprietary in North America.

My own favorite wireless trends are:

1. Municipal wireless retrenchment and WiMAX growth:
   Who among us couldn’t see that coming?
2. Mobile advertising:
   How big is it? Web advertising is bigger than radio. Newspapers are next.
3. New competitive bands:
   The AWS band (1.7/2.1 GHz) will be same-o, same-o, locked down with yesterday’s 3G/HSPA technology and rates. Not so at 700 MHz with new (open) competitors. Then there’s sat phones with terrestrial repeaters for smaller handsets and indoor coverage. Broadcasters who cluelessly fought against COFDM will predict the end of civilization if “white spaces” get approval. They loose.
4. HD Everywhere:
   Satellite is the big winner here. Cable switched video will have tough competition from Verizon’s FiOS and even AT&T’s IPTV Uverse service. Competing indoor HD distribution technology includes, UWB, 802.11n and 60 GHz. I’ll pick 60 (no compression chips).
5. Broadband Everywhere:
   A paradigm shift. Universal peace and understanding.

source : dailywireless.org