June/July 2007

Against the background of delay and uncertainty surrounding ratification of the new 802.11n standard for faster wireless networking, the Wi-Fi Alliance has taken the unusual step of publishing a logo that gives a brand identity (and implicitly additional authority) to the draft standard, which is now in its Draft 2.0 version. In a sense the Alliance is driving through the standard even without official IEEE certification. Gartner has described the step as 'a game-changing milestone for Wi-Fi technology'.

'Draft n' Wi-Fi has the potential to deliver up to five times the throughput and up to twice the range of previous-generation Wi-Fi equipment. Initially it is likely to have more appeal in consumer and office networking environments than in warehousing and similar outdoor situations, but ultimately it will extend the appeal and scope of Wi-Fi generally.