What's holding back Wi-Fi?

The statistics indicate that the total number of public Wi-Fi users is expected to grow significantly by 2005, from 2.4 million in 2003 to 10.4 million in 2005, according to analyst IDC. Vendors too are talking up the technology to try and spur it on but it could be a case of trying to run before you can walk. It's not surprising given the fact that 3G is now breathing down the neck of Wi-Fi hot spots.

Proxim has been a major force in the wireless world since the late 90s and is understandably sensitive to the idea that Wi-Fi is going through a tough time at the moment, at least in the public space. Anthony Fulgoni, Proxim's UK & Ireland regional sales manager is ebullient, saying "Wi-Fi is still growing apace." He adds that from Proxim's point of view, there is more and more interest and even more deployments as end-users start to realise the benefits of the technology.

Bars and pubs?
"They're looking out for Wi-Fi hotels and hot spots," he says. "Continued investment in hot spots from major players such as Starbucks/T-Mobile and The Cloud reflects this steady growth." That's true, but from a business point of view we can probably discount The Cloud, at least in terms of its public hot spots, given its tendency to locate in bars and pubs (although a happy worker is a good worker, this could be pushing it a bit).

Proxim's response is typical and completely understandable, as Wi-Fi is still a fantastic technology. The Wi-Fi industry is having none of this talk about demise and 3G competition and is instead going on the offensive. Last year five major telcos set up the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) to drive broadband wireless technologies through cooperation and joint marketing initiatives. This year, IBM, T-Mobile and BT are among the companies that have added their names to the membership list, and it is here that much of the work in enabling the first stage of hot spot roaming (where users can have one common interface regardless of their initial hot spot supplier) will be done.

Fragmented service?
There is a degree of fragmentation in the Wi-Fi infrastructure," says Dinnen at Ovum, "and this is where the WBA are trying to resolve some issues. The work is progressing steadily but it needs to happen quickly if Wi-Fi is to establish itself before the onset of greater 3G services next year."