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World Radiocommunications Group OKs New WLAN Spectrum
BenFranske writes "The World Radiocommunications Conference will allow a portion of spectrum in the 5GHz band to be used for WLANs, a decision hailed as a 'defining moment' for the WLAN industry. Although this doesn't impact the US much as this spectrum is already being used for wireless networking here, this will help standardize the frequencies worldwide."
How does the standard aluminum foil cap hold up to this spectrum? Will the government be able to beam thoughts into my head?
Please reply by brainwave transmission, as I don't read this forum much.
More regulations, less freedom.
Too bad God didn't GPL the airwaves instead of turning it over wholesale to the governments of the world.
I have been pwned because my
Won't this probably only be line of sight only?
802.11a uses this already, does it not? Was it not allowed internationally already or something?
I just want to see how it would be in a few years, when we all start to suffer from the radiation effects. Even at 2.4 Gig, 0.2W you can already feel some headache if you are sensitive. A CISCO 1100 at my university campus was at it's highest power and everybody in a 10m radius was feeling headache. But 5GHz? Is everyone trying to cook us making this place a big microwave oven? Way too dangerous. I sincerely hope they apply the radio tariffs here to it, as they applied to CB and everything else. I can see some of my friends using it, but I see nobody needing it. My friends are just beeing snob...
Onda Technology Institute
The final WRC decision on 5-GHz WLAN spectrum said countries should take "appropriate measures" to restrict use of the 5250-to-5350-MHz bands to indoor use.
Now, how are you going to do that? Around my house I detect 3 wireless networks running and none of them are mine. Don't tell me that I need to wrap my house with aluminum foil either!
--- I'm Green Hornet's sidekick not Inspector Clouseau's!
Due to the nature of 5GHz waves it is very resilliant to interference.
Aroung 4/5 time the data carrying capacity of 2.4GHz band.
19 non-overlapping channels compared to the 3 non overlapping channels for 2.4GIG
A true multimedia experience is possible with the ability to stream video and hi-fi audio.
I'd love to see 5GHz transmitter be allowed greater power so we could reach comparable distances to that of 2.4GHz.
Bethanie: Whore...
Fan Whore
If you want more RF freedom, get an amateur license and have at it. Or don't, and just ignore the rules - either way it's not as if you were using this spectrum before, now is it?
Having a worldwide market for this stuff means cheaper end user product. That means MORE freedom because MORE people can utilize this spectrum. That means LESS crowding in populated areas. It also means even cheaper 2.4GHz equipment as the urban areas move into this new spectrum. That means rural areas (like mine) can even better afford wireless broadband.
Looks to me like this means more freedom all around. What planet are you from?
The 100mW EIRP regulations across most of Europe severely limit the usefulness of the current 2.4GHz systems.
I haven't looked at the regulations for the 5Ghz band but if it's as limited as 2.4GHz it won't be much use.
Government of the people, by corporate executives, for corporate profits.
Hmm.. this might explain the sudden massive shift in Dentistry toward exclusive use of ceramics in tooth fillings.
I have something in common with Stephen Hawking...
If wireless networking ever does take off, this will be a huge boon... standardization is really the only way to ensure a future with interoperable global WLANs.. If only they did this with cellphones in the beginning.. instead of who knows how many different standards are around I wonder if any company has considered a SIrius/XM Radio like wireless internet connection? Would this be possible using satellites? What kind of speeds could be expected? Just some curious ideas I was pondering
Excuse me, I don't mean to impose, but I am the ocean
Its a shame that governments control the airwaves, but unfortunately in order for them to be of any use they sorta haveto.They regulate the airwaves as to reduce interferance that would otherwise jam just about every band. This way large corperate radio stations won't interfere with someone's remotely powered pacemaker. And SGI can't fry my pc's wifi card if I put my labtop next to their latest supercomputer. Its sort of a tragedy of the commons situation. The solution is to get rid of the commons by assigning ownership to them.
Well.. maybe. Or Maybe not. But Definitely not sort of.
Typing this as I wait for my flight that's delayed a couple hours. So if it means easier (and cheaper) access to the internet wherever I want it, I say more power to 'em!
guess i'll have to re-design my home-brew antennas. And proberly buy new gear, but at least I won't get as much interference from my shed door opener, my cordless phone, microwave, fridge, wireless stereo ear phones, and my neighbours..........
I was just thinking would someone comes out and reuglate visual light?
Or someone would patent a LED Torch emitting wave at 6.98E14 Hz?
...and i don't mind if you take the risk that is involved with 5Ghz radio. but there may be people *around* you that don't share the same risk affinity.
eric
the PAL of 802.11a
If you ask me (which nobody has), we should be using lower frequencies, not higher frequencies. Sure, lower frequencies require more bandwidth for the same speeds, but with lower bandwidths, obstacles wouldn't be a big deal, and you could transmit far, far further with less power as well.
I'm not talking Short-Wave radio frequencies, but rather, something like CB-frequencies, which can broadcast 5-10 miles from a portable handset (analog, with current bandwidth, presumably digital with a larger bandwidth could go much further) and base stations with antennas could potentially go up to 100 miles.
If you want a free network across an entire country like the US, you aren't going to do it on 2.4-5 GHz frequencies, but you could on much lower frequencies.
Slashdot gets worse every day... Pipedot: News for nerds, without the corporate slant
>detail any downsides of using the 5Ghz band?
I'm no radio geek but...
As a rule of thumb the higher the frequency the shorter the range. Range and wall penetration are going to be much more important factors than thoroughput for almost all residental installs and many business applications. I believe the current estimate is you'll get 1/4 the range. Err, no thanks.
Its not exactly that simple. At the same distance 802.11a outperforms b. So if, and this is a big if, an 'a' client and a 'b' client are both at 175 feet or so then 'b' will get 2mbs and 'a' will get 6mbs.
What I think is starting to happen, that is if everyone doesn't just switch to a/b/g multicards, is that 'a' has a better chance of getting business sales. Businesses can afford to put up more APs to handle the range problems and could really use the extra bandwidth.
Home users will probably stick to 'a' (or 'g') as its range and penetration is a big plus. Bandwidth isn't much of a consideration when 99% of these users will just be connecting to a slow WAN pipe like a DSL line or a cable modem.
Neat little comparision chart here.
I just replaced (today) my Panasonic 2.4ghz phone that wa walking all over my wireless network at home with a ATT 5.8ghz phone....now I am hoping I dont have to go back to corded or a 900mhz phone. I know its in the lower range (like 5.2ghz) (the new standard)
http://www.jamesmcmurry.com
The process of managing spectrum currently is a human one that is influenced by old men and political lobby groups. Fundamentally it is flawed due to the political concessions that these people make (latest release from WRC case in point).
The interesting thing is that the WRC seeks to control development by proxy. The policies they set only influences wireless equipment development. This is inefficient. They are the "black magic" equivalent of the ITU. Slow, insular and archaic. They_need_to_go. Release the spectrum. Make it free. Ensure the equipment connecting to the resource are of a certain standard and have a minimum set of communication protocols in order to effectively utilise the spectrum (ie RFCxxxx). The way to make the most of things is focus on the edges, not the core!
Stop trying to indirectly influence the utilisation of the resource by constricting access to the resource itself, and instead assist in the development and design protocols to take advantage of it. Automate the process of spectrum management and put it on a chip. A machine is better at utilising a sparse resource. A human is influenced too easily.
If you spread the spectrum wide enough the rising noise floor will never be a problem. Choose utility over quality!
Are the WRC the last of the Bellheads?
Even better news for radio hams, morse code testing is no longer an ITU requirement (though you in the Land Of the 'Free') may find your lovely FCC still keeps it, LOL
http://www.iaru.org/rel030703att3.html
FCC still have to approve it for US use.