Technology
The brand Wi-Fi is originally licensed by the Wi-Fi Alliance (http://www.wifi.org) to describe the underlying technology of Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) based on the IEEE 802.11 specifications. The IEEE 802.11 standard was published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) in 1999. Several variations of the standard have been published since - the best known is IEEE 802.11b. The Wi-Fi standard uses the unlicensed Industrial, Science and Medical (ISM) band. In the absence of licensing barriers, and because of the simplicity of the technology and its cost effectiveness, Wi-Fi networks have developed rapidly. Indoor coverage of 50 to 100 meters is normal and, depending on the standard, capacity bit rates of 11 to 54 Mbps (in some proprietary versions even more) are possible.
In the point-to-point architecture, the Wi-Fi networks can have wider coverage (depending on the level of amplification in the antenna and the mast size, up to about 30km), which enables the creation of wider area network infrastructures. This is very important in developing countries, where no legacy telephony or cable networks exist.
In developed countries, Wi-Fi is mainly used as a complementary local area infrastructure to enable flexible connectivity to different access networks for business as well as private users. In this case, Wi-Fi is the local extension of a broadband infrastructure. Furthermore, specific businesses offer Wi-Fi as public and commercial hot spots. Some cities are planning to offer Wi-Fi zones where there will be complete coverage within a specified area.
Regulatory issues
- Licensing: Licensing rules for Wi-Fi must be defined as simply as possible, so that they enable flexible use of Wi-Fi by network operators as well as end users.
- Universal service: Wi-Fi can contribute to the extension of networks to provide universal service by providing a niche component in networks provide local connections. Its application should be planned in association with WiMax technologies which provide longer transmission capabilities.
- Spectrum management: Wi-Fi requires access to unlicensed spectrum. This reduces licensing barriers, but the allocation of spectrum resources may still be necessary to avoid spectrum scarcity. Regulators need to ensure that the spectrum requirements for full exploitation of the benefits of Wi-Fi technology can be realized.
- Infrastructure competition: Wi-Fi offers the possibility for low-cost wireless access. It can provide network access to unserved areas, and can be used as a supplement or substitute for other types of access. Wi-Fi can therefore constitute a competing access infrastructure, but is most often used as an extension of broadband access and a complement to other kinds of wireless access.
- Business models: Most ISPs require that their broadband customers do not open their Wi-Fi access points to any other user, believing they will realize higher revenue with this restriction. The business model of these ISPs is to view Wi-Fi as a wireless extension of the DSL or cable modem connection. However, some companies or associations aim to make Wi-Fi access points available to other users so as to share the access infrastructure. This raises a consumer rights issue. In most circumstances consumers should be able to select whether or not they wish to share their Wi-Fi access points.
- Network and information security: There are network and security issues at stake to the extent that Wi-Fi access is not protected/blocked by encryption keys. Even if Wi-Fi access is protected or blocked by encryption, network and information security is relatively low. However, detailed regulation of QoS could potentially undermine the benefits of this low-cost access possibility. Regulators should ensure users are aware of the QoS provided, which will always be better than no service.
RELATED INFORMATION
(Re) Licensing
Universal Access
Spectrum management
Regulatory set-up and business models
Network and information security