Mobile Computing: The Next High-Speed Wireless LAN

We discuss the pros, cons, and realities of 802.11g technology.

James A. Martin

FAQ: What's Up With 802.11g?

Recently, Apple Computer announced new PowerBooks that feature built-in wireless networking. While wireless-enabled notebooks aren't exactly newsworthy anymore, the PowerBooks earned some ink for their support of the new 802.11g wireless specification rather than the 802.11b standard commonly called Wi-Fi.

Meanwhile, networking giants Netgear and D-Link have announced plans to launch 802.11g network adapters, followed by network access points and routers. Other companies such as Linksys and SMC Networks have unveiled or begun shipping 802.11g-based products, too.

But what exactly is 802.11g? How does it differ from 802.11b and 802.11a? And most importantly, should you upgrade or stick with Wi-Fi? This week's newsletter gives you the 411 on the 802.11 situation. For more information on Wi-Fi, and a comparison with Bluetooth, see "Mobile Computing Tips: Bluetooth vs. Wi-Fi FAQ."

The Specs

802.11g is the name given by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers to a new high-speed wireless local-area networking specification. 802.11g is an extension of 802.11b, which is the basis of many WLANs today such as the T-Mobile Hot Spots found in Starbucks locations.

While 802.11b delivers data transfer rates of up to 11 megabits per second, 802.11g promises speeds up to 54 mbps. Both specifications operate on the 2.4-GHz radio frequency band.

And then there's 802.11a, also known as Wi-Fi5. This wireless standard is also designed to deliver speeds of up to 54 mbps. But 802.11a uses the 5-GHZ radio frequency band and isn't compatible with 802.11b- or 802.11g-enabled devices.

The Good News

Because 802.11g is an extension of 802.11b, equipment based on these technologies is compatible. That means an 802.11g-equipped notebook (such as one of the new PowerBooks) or other device can still access the Internet via a Wi-Fi hot spot--although at the older standard's 11 mbps speed. Conversely, a 802.11b-equipped notebook can connect to an 802.11g hot spot, but only at the lower speed.

In theory, then, purchasing 802.11g equipment seems a good idea because you'll get fast speeds (when interfacing with 802.11g access points) as well as compatibility with the ubiquitous Wi-Fi standard.

The Bad News

Alas, it's not quite that simple. At the moment, 802.11g is a specification--not an accepted, industry-wide standard like 802.11a and 802.11b. In fact, 802.11g isn't even expected to be certified as a standard until later this year, according to C. Brian Grimm, communications director for the Wi-Fi Alliance, a nonprofit wireless industry association in Mountain View, California.

Standardization will come when consensus is reached among networking industry players regarding 802.11g's technology specifications, Grimm says. While 802.11g as it exists today is unlikely to change, he points out, it's possible that it could. If it does change, however, equipment purchased today could most likely be upgraded.

Nonetheless, there are risks in buying prestandard products, Grimm points out. You shouldn't have problems if you go to one company for all your 802.11g products, for example a 802.11g home networking setup from D-Link that includes a router and a PC Card adapter. But prestandard devices from one vendor may not be compatible with those from another, Grimm warns.

And there are potential downsides to 802.11g. While Wi-Fi devices can talk to one another within about 300 feet, 802.11g's range is about 10 percent less, Grimm says. "Generally speaking," he adds, "the faster you go, the lower the range." The result: To compensate for the shorter range, a company seeking to upgrade may have to buy more 802.11g network access points than the Wi-Fi points it is replacing.

As with Wi-Fi, 802.11g devices share the same radio spectrum as 2.4-GHz portable phones, so home users may experience some interference, Grimm says. If you're wirelessly transmitting multimedia, such as MP3 files, from your computer to your stereo set, you could notice some dropped notes here and there. But if you're transferring data--by surfing the Web wirelessly, for instance--you're less likely to notice interference from portable phones.

The Bottom Line

"Ultimately, I'd stick with Wi-Fi for now," Grimm concludes. "It will work anywhere there's a wireless hot spot." Once the 802.11g specification is standardized, consider buying a network card for your notebook or PDA that supports both the "g" and "a" standards. Because 802.11g and 802.11b are compatible, dual-band cards will give you access to all three wireless standards.

"Dual-band cards may be expensive at first," Grimm says, "but like everything else, their prices will soon drop."

For more information on 802.11g, check out the following PCWorld.com articles:

• "Faster, Cheaper Wireless Home Nets Emerge"
• "Wi-Fi Looks to Simplify Network Switching"
• "New Products Offer a Peek Into the Wireless Future"
• "Wi-Fi Boosts Security"

Notebooks & Accessories

News: Belkin Joins the G Crowd

Speaking of 802.11g, Belkin recently announced products compatible with the new high-speed wireless LAN specification. Among the lineup are the 54g Wireless Notebook Network Card ($80), which fits into 32-bit PC Card CardBus slots, supports 64-bit and 128-bit encryption, and uses a low-power-consumption chip set designed to keep notebooks running longer, the company says.

Reader Response: Don't Overlook the BJC-85

In a recent newsletter, I reviewed the automatic sheet feeder and scanner cartridge accessories for Canon's BJC-55, a portable bubble-jet printer that I've found helpful on trips. (The cartridge, when snapped into the ink well, transforms the printer into a scanner.)

Betty J. Van Wicklen, of the Albany, New York area, responded with a review of her own: "I recommend the Canon BJC-85, which, although a bit larger and heavier than the BJC-55, has a built-in 30-sheet feeder and also accepts the scanner cartridge, which gives very accurate renderings of graphics and charts. The documentation is not terribly helpful, I grant you, but the accompanying software is pretty self-explanatory and should serve most traveling needs.

"The printer also produces reasonably good photo prints at 4 by 6 inches. No portable printer can match a good desktop printer, but I have been favorably impressed by the BJC-85. True, the additional size/weight constraints (compared to the BJC-55) make it a less-than-serviceable choice for a true road warrior. But the BJC-85 is an admirable performer, and the convenience of the built-in sheet feeder is worth its weight in gold for me."

The BJC-85 ($300) measures 11.8 by 2.3 by 6.2 inches and weighs 3.1 pounds, according to Canon--and that includes the built-in sheet feeder. The BJC-55 ($350), by comparison, measures 11.9 by 2 by 4.4 inches and weighs 2.1 pounds. But that doesn't include the optional sheet feeder ($60), which adds another 12.3 by 7.2 by 2.8 inches and 2.2 pounds to the BJC-55. or the best prices on the Canon BJC-85, check out the PCWorld.com Product Finder.

News: USB Device Lets You Keep Files to Yourself

If you're worried that the data on your notebook could fall into the hands of enemy agents, then you've obviously been reading too much Robert Ludlum. But if you're just concerned about data security, Griffin Technologies has something for you: the SecuriKey Personal Edition ($150), a small USB token-like device that fits on a key ring. SecuriKey comes with two similar devices (in case you lose one). Slip one into a USB port, then use the software installation wizard on your Windows XP or 2000 notebook to create a password and set security limits. From then on, accessing your secured data requires both the password and the token inserted into the USB port. If your notebook is stolen, no sweat--Griffin Technologies says that no one else can access data that you've classified as private.

Handhelds

News: MP3 Files on FM Radio

A new MP3 player from Digital Innovations broadcasts your music files on an FM radio. With the Neuros MP3 Digital Audio Computer, business travelers can beam their favorite tunes to, say, a rental-car radio or an FM clock radio. The device automatically scans for open frequencies in the area, identifies one, then broadcasts a signal. List price: $249 for a 128MB version.

News: Fujifilm Offers a Bigger Picture Card

Fujifilm recently gave the nascent XD-Picture Card flash-memory format a boost by announcing a 256MB version of the card. The format debuted in July 2002 to compete with similarly sized Secure Digital and Memory Stick Duo cards and allow manufacturers to design smaller digital cameras--which could be a boon for mobile professionals such as real-estate agents. As of this writing, no specific pricing or availability information was available for the 256MB card.

News: Secure Digital Cards Get Bigger, Too

Secure Digital flash-memory cards, used in PDAs and digital cameras, recently got a boost as well. Panasonic is among the manufacturers who recently announced plans for a 1GB Secure Digital card--that's enough capacity to hold 600 digital camera images at 2272 by 1704 resolution.

Wireless

News: Wi-Fi Hot Spot Finder

The Wi-Fi Alliance, a nonprofit trade organization for the wireless networking industry, will soon offer an online "Yellow Pages of Wi-Fi hot spots around the globe," according to C. Brian Grimm, communications director. (See this week's feature for more about the Wi-Fi Alliance.)

The Web database will allow users to search for libraries, universities, coffee houses, and other establishments offering Wi-Fi Internet access points. Unlike some other Wi-Fi hot spot finders on the Web, this database will be maintained by the Wi-Fi service providers themselves, Grimm says, which should result in more accurate, frequently updated information.

Rave Reviews?

Are you particularly pleased with your new notebook, notebook accessory, PDA, or wireless data service? If so, tell me. I'd like to hear about the product you're using, what you're using it for, and why you're happy with it. I'll share the best success stories in future newsletter issues.

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