802.11 equipment is still more expensive than HomeRF equipment but as 802.11 becomes widespread in large offices and commercial locations such as airports, the costs will come down quickly, some say. And its second generation, with the creative name of 802.11a, promises to offer speeds up to 55 mbps later this year. The consortium, the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance, is slapping a Wi-Fi label, its version of a Good Housekeeping stamp of approval, on products that meet the 802.11 standards. Compatibility is key, said Tim Mahon, a home networking analyst with Credit Suisse First Boston. The same goes for offices with 802.11 technology in the buildings.
Users can log on without wires.
But others, those who have a HomeRF card in their machines, will have to search for a dial-up connection or wait until they get home. HomeRF and 802.11 offer much of the same benefits, but businesses have fast been adopting 802.11 because of its speeds, worrying little about the costs. Saturation of the workplace will lead to saturation in the homes, said Edward Balassanian, president and CEO of BeComm Corp., a Seattle-based maker of home networking software. They want the technology between home and office to offer a seamless transition. Apple Computer Inc. was the first PC maker to market with 802.11 technology when it teamed up with Lucent in July 1999 to offer AirPort wireless networking.