Wireless vendors rightly viewed the 802.11 ratification as a very positive step. They felt that the adoption of a standard would foster greater acceptance of wireless networks. But the existence of a standard does not mean that it is appropriate for every application using wireless technology. Consequently, the 802.11 specification enables wireless devices to operate with computers using standard operating systems for applications that require the transmission of large files.
People frequently assume that wireless LANs are computer networks for office applications.
But the same RF technology is used in wireless networks with devices other than computers for applications that require the transmission of short bursts of data. There are hundreds of data connectivity applications of this kind, and 802.11 is not necessarily the right wireless standard for them. Zeus has chosen not to comply with the 802.11 standard, for reasons described in this whitepaper. The Federal Communications Commission standards that sanction wireless operations in the license-free ISM bands at 900MHz, 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz are independent of and do not require compliance with IEEE 802.11. When organizations wish to implement wireless solutions for computer LANs, or for other data connectivity applications, they need to select the right tools for the job.