Wi-Fi gains voice boost

The latency, quality of service (QoS) and traffic prioritisation issues that have so far dogged voice over wireless LAN (WLAN) technology look set to be at least partially resolved.

Vendors are queuing up to deliver new access points and switches specifically for voice traffic, although dual-mode Wi-Fi/cellular handsets are not expected to appear until later this year.

Proxim will today launch its Orinoco AP-4000 access points and switching system. Similar WLAN products from Symbol Technologies are expected next week.

Proxim can minimise the latency that occurs when a call is passed from one WLAN access point to another to between 200ms to 250ms, at which point it is not noticeable to the user, said UK and Ireland sales manager, Anthony Fulgoni.

"When the phone links to the intelligent AP [access point] it is told where the next APs before and after it are, so it knows the hand-off details already," he said.

The AP-4000 is a tri-mode 801.11a/b/g, Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)-enabled device that is software upgradable to deliver Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and 802.11i WLAN security features. The device also features transmit power control (TPC) ahead of the ratification of the 802.11h standard expected later this year.

"I do not have too many doubts that [the AP-4000] will be compatible with 802.11h, but I could not put my hand on my heart and say it definitely will not need a hardware upgrade," Fulgoni added.

See also:

Call costs put wireless on right wavelength

Companies will consider wireless Lans for telephony needs, analyst says  23 Feb 2004

Wireless LANs

Exploring wireless networking technology and its business applications  08 Aug 2003

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