Just as you were beginning to get your arms around the myriad 802.11 specs, the IEEE has introduced the 802.20 series.

Known in its long form as "The Standard Air Interface for Mobile Broadband Wireless Access Systems Supporting Vehicular Mobility - Physical and Media Access Control Layer Specification" (I'm not kidding you), this spec will focus squarely on boosting real-time data transmission rates in wireless metropolitan area networks (WMAN).

The end result, hopefully, will be an increased use of interactive voice, video and data services over mobile broadband networks. The spec addresses licensed bands below the 3.5Ghz range.

If the working group is successful in developing the spec, WMAN users will be able to enjoy 1M-bit/sec data transmission rates traveling up to 150 miles per hour. Look for applications to sprout up for riders in high-speed trains, subways, automobiles, etc.

This will be an incredible boost for users of laptops and PDAs as well as other wireless network devices. It will also open the field for integrating applications, such as targeted advertising and video-on-demand, throughout wireless metropolitan area networks.

If you have an interest in this area, the 802.20 Working Group is looking for more members, according to the IEEE's Web site.

For more on this spec and other IEEE standards go to: http://grouper.ieee.org/groups/802/20/ .

Please e-mail your responses to sgittlen@nww.com. Thanks ahead of time for your feedback.

Related links:

New mobile data standard on the way
Network World, 02/10/03

IEEE 802.20 Mobile Broadband Wireless Access

Check out our new Wireless/Mobile Research Center

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