Posted by John Patrick on Sep 5, 2002 in
Internet Technology
C|NET ran a story called, “Wi-Fi to climb aboard modems“, that describes how Wi-Fi chips for wireless home networks will seeon become integrated with broadband modems. Communications chipmaker Conexant Systems announced Tuesday that it is adding Intersil Wi-Fi chips to the semiconductors it builds for high-speed cable or DSL modems. This is clearly the next step in the evolution of Wi-Fi. Not long ago people with home LANs had (and many still do) a cable or DSL modem plus a router to make the Internet connection available to other PCs in their house plus a wireless access point to extend the connection to laptops in the backyard or wherever. Three boxes. By the end of this year it sounds like there will be one box that does it all. There are already nearly twenty million homes and offices with WiFi. The momentum will surely accelerate even beyond the current frenetic pace.
Posted by John Patrick on Sep 4, 2002 in
Internet Technology Matt Gould at Megabeam dropped ma a note to remind me that WiFi is not an American thing. Megabeam is building a pan-European wireless hotspot network targeting business travelers at airports, hotels, train stations, and convention centers. Hotspots are up and running in both Milan and Rome airports and in key European business centers including London, Milan, Rome, Munich, Zurich and Amsterdam. The service will soon be available at 12 European airports with a total of 65 hotspots live by the end of the year. (read more)
Posted by John Patrick on Sep 4, 2002 in
Internet Technology
There will be an Internet2 “Virtual Briefing”, entitled “New Networks, Old Economy,” on Friday, September 13, 2002, 1:00pm-2:30pm EST.
Presenters will discuss approaches for building advanced networks in a telecommunications environment that some believe is reverting to the models of the “Old Economy”. The speakers will bring their various perspectives to an exploration of the fundamental changes in the telecom industry since the end of the “Internet boom” and will consider how the higher education community should respond. More information and netcasting options are here.
Posted by John Patrick on Sep 3, 2002 in
e-Business Stephanie Stahl wrote an Editor’s Note in Information Week (Aug. 26, 2002) called “CEOs Need To Walk In Customers’ Shoes”. She says, “Maybe it’s just one of the many trade-offs for living where you want to live, but I know so many people who still don’t have access to high-speed cable lines or DSL….” One technology CEO told her that he thinks it’s important to understand and operate within the limits that others around him have. And since the telecom companies have dubbed the connection to the consumer the last mile instead of the first mile, there’s not a lot they can do about it right now, right? Stephanie adds, “John Patrick doesn’t buy it”. (read more)
Posted by John Patrick on Sep 2, 2002 in
Internet Technology The latest addition to NewburyOpen.net is that they have made a “mobile” version of their wireless node that sits on top of one of their cars. They plan to park it next to various places every Sunday and provide free wireless Internet service in new locations every week. For their first day out it happens to be parked by a Starbucks, which is somewhat intentional since NewburyOpen.net wants to make the statement that free WiFi is the way to go, not $14 by the hour. (read more)
Posted by John Patrick on Sep 1, 2002 in
Internet Technology The momentum is building to create community area networks everywhere! My first taste of this was during Subway Surfing and now it seems that each week I learn of something new. NewburyOpen.net — on Newbury Street in Boston — provides free high-speed WiFi Internet connections for Bostoners and travelers away from work or home — at Internet-by-the-Hour stations at 252 Newbury Street and in cafes and shops on Newbury Street. (read more)
