Intel Takes UWB Standard to ECMA

judgecorp writes "The Intel-backed WiMedia group, unable to get its UWB proposal approved as an IEEE standard, has got it published as a standard, by the ECMA group. ECMA has less of a history in network standards, and is more swayed by commercial issues, say critics." From the article: "ECMA, whose members are manufacturers, has published two standards, ECMA-368 and 369, based directly on the WiMedia UWB proposals. These had previously reached stalemate in the IEEE, where they were blocked by rival proposals from Motorola-backed Freescale in a debate that lasted for years. ECMA, by contrast, approved WiMedia unanimously, in about three months."

Comments

For those not so well versed

[Cherita Chen]

For those of you who are not so well versed - here is a link to some very interesting information regarding UWB, it's uses, etc...

http://www.sss-mag.com/uwbp3.html

Re:Multiple committees = good for consumers

[J. Random Luser]

This is an interesting article, and one that shows how multiple standards committees are actually better for consumers than just one.

Indeed, so long as a consensus results in a useful standard that all can comply with. But there are more than one problem here:

• TFA says WiMedia hope the IEEE will back off UWB standard setting
• ECMA has rubberstamped one company's technology, to the possible exclusion of other worthy efforts
• ECMA's fast track to ISO means international standards may mandate technology protected by US patent law

A similar argument is raging over Microsoft's attempt to use ECMA to steamroller its Office document formats over the OASIS ODF. There's a difference between a free market where I am free to buy off the legislators, and a free and open market where all are free to compete to openly agreed standards.