ZDNet UK / News and Analysis / Infrastructure / Networking

Wi-Fi group to rename 802.11a

By Ben Charny, CNET News, 19 July, 2002 12:59

Daily Newsletters

Sign up to ZDNet UK's daily newsletter.

Topics

802.11, Wireless, rename, wi-fi5, wireless ethernet compatibility alliance, Wi-Fi

NEWS
The confusing mix of names used to describe wireless networking equipment based on the 802.11 standard might just become a little simpler. The Wireless Ethernet Compatability Alliance (WECA), a leading standards body for wireless networking, was set to call wireless networks using the 802.11a standard "Wi-Fi5." The name refers to the fact that the new equipment available from Cisco Systems and others uses the 5GHz range. The original "Wi-Fi," based on the 802.11b standard that operates in the 2.4GHz range, is used by 15 million to 18 million customers. But nobody got it, said chairman Dennis Eaton, adding that the group has tentatively dropped plans to stamp 802.11a equipment it approves as "Wi-Fi5 Certified." "The second question we got during focus groups was 'What happened to Wi-Fi 2,3 and 4?'" Eaton said. "They'd ask 'Why did you jump to five?' We found it to be confusing and sent the wrong message to consumers." WECA is an industry alliance that publishes standards for wireless equipment makers to follow. The group also tests equipment for interoperability, such as if a laptop modem from Cisco works with an access point using Agere Systems' equipment. If it does, WECA gives the equipment its seal of approval. Analysts have applauded the name change, which is still pending final approvals. "Unless you were really knowledgeable, you didn't know what they were talking about," said Aaron Vance, a wireless analyst with Synergy Research Group. There is an alphabet soup of versions of 802.11 that have varying levels of security or speed. For example, the popular Wi-Fi networks operate on 802.11b, but 802.11a and 802.11g have been developed to be more secure or to travel on more channels. WECA itself is also getting a name change. It will soon be known as the "Wi-Fi Alliance," Eaton said. The name change is the result of a "chicken-and-egg thing," he said. When the standards body was first created, the name Wi-Fi didn't exist. But they had to create a name to incorporate, so they invented "Wireless Ethernet," he said. But WECA officials found themselves fielding questions from Wi-Fi companies as to whether they were the right organisation to approach. After all, Eaton said, all it was doing was certifying Wi-Fi products, so why wasn't it called the Wi-Fi Alliance? "This will hopefully eliminate some of that confusion," Eaton said.
For a round-up of everything from local loop unbundling and broadband to the latest in GPRS and 3G phones and networks, see the Telecoms News Section. Have your say instantly, and see what others have said. Go to the Telecoms forum . Let the editors know what you think in the Mailroom.

Related stories

UK set for public Wi-Fi boom

Cable companies cracking down on Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi to arrive at UK's railway stations

Ofcom to make it easier to change broadband service

Google set to build backbone of its 1Gbps fibre network

Post your comment

In order to post a comment you need to be registered and logged in.

You can also log in with Facebook. Log in or create your ZDNet UK account below

  • Login

Will not be displayed with your comment

By signing up for this service, you indicate that you agree to our Terms and Conditions and have read and understood our Privacy Policy. Questions about membership? Find the answers in the Community FAQ

Get ZDNet UK's daily newsletter

Enter your email address to sign up

ZDNet UK Live

GrueMaster

Nice review and very informative. One thing I'd like to add (in reply to whs001's 1st question), the main reason to have the same interface from...

6 minutes ago by GrueMaster on A tale of two distros: Ubuntu and Linux Mint
Frederick Wrigley

I'be been using Mint 12 since the RC came out, and I am far more happy with the Cinnamon, the Mate, and, yes (with extensions), theGnome 3...

53 minutes ago by Frederick Wrigley via Facebook on A tale of two distros: Ubuntu and Linux Mint
bdantas

Excellent article. One small correction, though--although a fresh installation of Linux Mint 12 will, indeed, provide the user with a version of...

2 hours ago by bdantas on A tale of two distros: Ubuntu and Linux Mint
Alan Ralph

In related news, the ISPs club together to get the members of the Home Affairs Select Committee (ya goofed on that part, ZDNet UK) copies of "The...

2 hours ago by Alan Ralph via Facebook on MPs urge ISPs to take down terrorist material
Alan Ralph

In related news, the ISPs club together to get the members of the Home Affairs Select Committee (ya goofed on that part, ZDNet UK) copies of "The...

2 hours ago by Alan Ralph via Facebook on MPs urge ISPs to take down terrorist material
Moley

For Gnome 2 die-hards, it is possible to add icons to the bottom panel (or top top panel, if you prefer) which provide the exact Gnome 2...

3 hours ago by Moley on A tale of two distros: Ubuntu and Linux Mint
ramwellian

Your comments would seem pretty naive and immature. Your 'solution' appears to be, "gee, let's all just give in to the hackers and give them...

3 hours ago by ramwellian on Cloud computing security: no more oxymoron?
BugStalker

"Interesting thought ... If you installed Win7 as a dual boot on a machine that previously only had Linux, and it wrecked your Linux installation,...

3 hours ago by BugStalker on Windows 7 Declares War on GRUB
whs001

This is an excellent summary of Ubuntu and Mint and the interface differences between them. Most such articles take a very partisan position for...

4 hours ago by whs001 on A tale of two distros: Ubuntu and Linux Mint
Moley

@ewallace. Not so clear. Anyone can obtain the text, for example from here http://www.ustr.gov/webfm_send/2379. I support ACTA so long as it and...

4 hours ago by Moley on ACTA: Facts, misconceptions and questions
45283

I think WinRT is fantastic. I just wish it was an option for people that didn't want to go through Microsoft's App Store with its attendant...

7 hours ago by 45283 on Why Windows 8 needs architectural hygiene for WOA
Burn-IT

Nine people? £30m? Who's back pocket is that lot going in? And IF they say it is for new buildings, what about all the ones the government has...

8 hours ago by Burn-IT on Police set to launch three £30m e-crime hubs
ewallace

Just to be clear, nobody knows what is in the text of ACTA, here is a photograph of the text of ACTA http://twitpic.com/8h9iju as submitted to the...

8 hours ago by ewallace on ACTA: Facts, misconceptions and questions
fgvrg56

Unfortunately main issue is that ASUS is refusing to accept that they make some mistake on this version of asus Transformer prime. 1 - GPS sensor...

9 hours ago by fgvrg56 on Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime Wi-Fi & GPS problems?
Ben Woods

@Marcus A fair question. Just talked with Archos which said it was working on an announcement for next week....

10 hours ago by Ben Woods on Archos confirms G9 Ice Cream Sandwich update schedule
Marcus Karlsson

Any update on this, considering the claimed "first week of February"?

12 hours ago by Marcus Karlsson via Facebook on Archos confirms G9 Ice Cream Sandwich update schedule
apexwm

Bill Goodrich : Just as al_langevin pointed out, with Windows Server 2008 there is no Services for Macintosh anymore. It's gone, not available....

20 hours ago by apexwm on Windows Server 2008 drops the ball for Mac compatibility
txtrainguy

Replying to an old topic that I'm currently facing with my CEO (who is on a Mac). Our servers are primarily Windows Servers, office is about...

1 day ago by txtrainguy on Windows Server 2008 drops the ball for Mac compatibility
k0tcs3

Sure, that makes perfect sense. Pay wrong-doers money and thank them for breaching your security and pointing out your flaws, that would surely...

1 day ago by k0tcs3 on US indicts Romanian over NASA climate change hack
Random_Error

I think he's referring specifically to Android apps, as Apple do regulate their App Store, but Google seem to let any old crap onto the Android store!

1 day ago by Random_Error on RIM: BlackBerry will keep 'garbage' apps out of store

Latest in Networking

Ofcom to make it easier to change broadband service

Google set to build backbone of its 1Gbps fibre network

Nicira reveals network virtualisation details

Featured white papers

Six iPad tests for multimedia-grade Wi-Fi

Aruba Networks

Six iPad tests for multimedia-grade Wi-Fi

The University of Ottawa, Apple, Aruba Networks and others validate a multimedia grade Wi-Fi environment for scaling voice and video... Read more

Enterprise wireless networks add speed with 802.11n

Aruba Networks

Enterprise wireless networks add speed with 802.11n

This Aruba white paper explains the advanced technology introduced in the 'final' 802.11n certification, allowing enterprise network managers to understand its benefits and to plan their own upgrade... Read more

Solution Brief: Top 5 Reasons to Choose Blue Coat WAN Optimization

Blue Coat Systems

Solution Brief: Top 5 Reasons to Choose Blue Coat WAN Optimization

There's a pretty good chance your wide area network (WAN) looks like a mess right now. The rapid adoption of... Read more

Inside ZDNet UK

A tale of two distros: Ubuntu and Linux Mint

A tale of two distros: Ubuntu and Linux Mint

2012 Predictions: VCE FastPath, VI SAN Probe & Hadoop

2012 Predictions: VCE FastPath, VI SAN Probe & Hadoop

BlackBerry Bold 9790

BlackBerry Bold 9790

Case study: How cloud enables growth

Case study: How cloud enables growth

Ten factors that make Ubuntu 11.10 a hit

Ten factors that make Ubuntu 11.10 a hit

Toshiba Portégé Z830-10P Review

Toshiba Portégé Z830-10P Review

BT's archive: Pictures from the vault

BT's archive: Pictures from the vault