INTEL DEVELOPER FORUM, San Francisco, Aug. 23, 2005 - Early adoption of wireless broadband services coupled with new energy-efficient and higher-performing developments in mobile devices are signaling the beginning of "mobility ubiquity" according to Intel's top executive responsible for mobile computing. This mobile ubiquity offers the industry substantial new growth opportunities. (Complete article )

"The number of voice lines worldwide skyrocketed with the proliferation of cellular phones, which made the phone truly personal," said Sean Maloney, Intel executive vice president and general manager of the Intel Mobility Group. "At the same time, the Internet has unleashed an insatiable demand for computing power. Now, if we can deliver ubiquitous broadband based on open standards and drive performance and power innovation on computing and phone platforms, mobile computing has the potential for continued dramatic growth."

Performance and Power Fanaticism
Notebooks are increasingly the device of choice for both businesses and consumers as users realize the many advantages laptop PCs offer. Maloney unveiled several new capabilities planned for the company's next-generation mobile platform, codenamed Napa, designed to lower power consumption yet improve graphics and wireless capabilities. Intel has already garnered 220 Napa design wins to date.

Intel announced an agreement with Matsushita Battery Industrial (MBI) to jointly develop more powerful battery technology to support the vision for "all-day computing" for future Intel® Centrino™ mobile technology-based platforms.

As an example of the affect mobility can have in and out of the digital home, Intel is working with Crown Castle and DiBcom to demonstrate mobile broadcast TV functionality on Intel Centrino mobile technology and Intel® XScale® technology. In a series of commercial user trials in 2005 and 2006, the companies will work to develop better end-user experiences of standardized TV broadcast hardware and services across Intel platforms.

As evidence of Intel's continued innovation in mobile, the company today described its forthcoming multi-core mobile processor, codenamed Merom, due to arrive in the second half of 2006. Over the coming years, Merom's energy-efficient, multi-core design will deliver three times the performance per watt, a metric Intel has said is a key requirement for the future.

In addition to voice services, a large and growing segment of the mobile phone market is now offering full-featured operating services, enterprise applications and multi-media services. These capabilities are critically dependent on the "brains" inside the device. To provide these capabilities Maloney disclosed plans for Intel's 2006 cellular platform components for next-generation wireless handsets.

These components include Intel's next generation of Intel® XScale application processors, codenamed Monahans. This product family will offer a wide range of performance, power and integration levels to meet the needs of handsets, smartphones, handhelds and consumer electronic devices. Monahans is expected to provide five times more performance within the next few years, while consuming less energy than previous Intel-based platforms. Maloney also introduced the next generation of Intel graphics co-processors, codenamed Stanwood. He also noted the importance of standards for furthering innovation in mobility.

"Global innovation around open wireless standards is driving dramatic increases in the adoption of wireless technologies," Maloney said. "Cities across America and around the world are actively installing Wi-Fi networks to support e-government, enable connected mobile worker and bring the benefits of wireless broadband to more and more citizens."

WiMAX builds on the WiFi experience, offering greater connectivity opportunities as WiMAX standard products enter the market. Cities and regions around the globe are planning for and deploying WiMAX networks, and Maloney discussed its cost-effectiveness and reach as potentially helping to bridge the digital divide and bring more communities around the world online.

Intel is involved in several trial deployments around the world to test the feasibility of WiMAX. Each of these trial deployments has shown how the promise of standards-based wireless broadband can impact the way that businesses and governments work, commerce is conducted and students learn.

About IDF
Now in its ninth year, IDF is the premier global technology forum for hardware and software developers to confer on Intel-based platforms, technologies and solutions, and the new usage models they enable. More than 25,000 technology experts come together at IDF in more than a dozen countries each year. Visit www.intel.com/idf for more information.

Intel, the world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies, products and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.

Intel, Centrino and XScale are marks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.

* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

ASBTA NEWS…

For Information:  Jim Van Orden, 972-231-2575 (jim.vanorden@asbta.com)

March 23, 2006

Wireless in the Office/Wireless on the Road – How the Wireless Workplace Could Work for Small Businesses

Virtually Seamless Connections from the Office to the Road Make an All Wireless Workplace Attractive to Many Small Business Road Warriors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – DALLAS, TX – Small businesses with demanding travel needs could benefit both on the road and in the office by utilizing an all wireless environment, reported the American Small Business Travelers Alliance (ASBTA). ASBTA is a national, non-profit alliance that provides valuable services and functions focused specifically on the travel needs and interests of small business owners.

“Whether deploying from the inception of a business or converting an established business, wireless networking offers a scalable and cost-effective solution that enables small business owners and employees to keep in touch just about anywhere, virtually seamlessly,” said Chuck Sharp, ASBTA President. “With the latest generation of laptops providing desktop PC performance, longer battery lives, and the efficiency and time saving of accessing e-mail practically anywhere, the benefits of wireless are numerous.”

In the office, small businesses can choose to go fully or partially wireless depending on their specific needs. A major benefit of moving to an all or partial wireless environment is that wireless networks can cost up to 30% less to establish and operate than a standard wired network. In addition, the seamless, always-connected environment can increase employee productivity and make it easier for employees to transition from the office to the road. In fact, a recent study by Omni Consulting Group, LLP showed that mobile data services increase global workforce productivity by 13.4 percent.

Once on the road, wireless access is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to make critical connections. Most major airports offer Wi-Fi hotspots that allow travelers with wireless enabled laptops to easily connect to the Internet, while train stations, restaurants and even gas stations are adding similar services every day. And most middle-range hotels also offer high-speed Internet or Wi-Fi at little or no additional cost. Best Western, for example, offers customers free high-speed Internet access and Wi-Fi at all of its 2,300 locations in the U.S. and Canada. InterContinental also offers both high-speed Internet and Wi-Fi, and the chain’s budget-brand, Holiday Inn, allows travelers to book their rooms wirelessly using almost any wireless device, including PDAs and BlackBerrys.

“Like many of our member companies, so many small businesses these days spend fifty percent or more of their time on the road and our research has shown that over 60% travel with their laptops, so they know just how important wireless connectivity has become to keeping connected outside the office,” said Sharp. “So the big question is why switch network platforms from the road to the office, when wireless can work so effectively in both situations? The demonstrated productivity enhancements clearly make it a question worth considering for many small businesses.”

Resources for the Small Business Wireless Workplace

• To learn more about the wireless workplace, visit Intel’s “Wireless Solutions for Small Business” web site (http://www.intel.com/business/smallbusiness/wireless/index.htm), which is geared toward helping small businesses understand how wireless can work in their environment. Intel’s unique SMB Technology ROI Analysis Tool (http://www.intel.com/business/smallbusiness/roi.htm) can also help small businesses determine whether going wireless is right for them.

• Get on the cutting-edge of mobile technology with Entrepreneur Magazine and Intel’s online guide, “The Extended Office” (http://www.entrepreneur.com/extendedoffice)

• Easily find wireless hotspots using any of a number of online services, including: Intel’s Hotspot Finder (http://intel.jiwire.com/); Wi-Fi Free Spot (http://www.wififreespot.com); and Wi-Fi Hot Spot List (http://www.Wi-FiHotSpotList.com). Another service, Connexion by Boeing (http://www.connexionbyboeing.com), even enables users to obtain in-flight Wi-Fi connections.

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About ASBTA:

ASBTA is dedicated to educating the small business traveler and promoting the travel industry at large. The American Small Business Travelers Alliance (ASBTA) is a national organization serving small business travelers by providing information regarding resources and services, savings on air fares, car rentals, and accommodations, as well as technology (www.businesstraveltechnology.com) designed to improve and enhance your travel experience. If you’re a small business owner and want to learn more, visit our site and register free at www.asbta.com. You can contact ASBTA by phone at 469-648-0190 or email us at info@asbta.com

WiFi, wireless Local Area Networks (LANs) over 802.11b networks, are a low-cost, relatively simple way to gain high-speed access to the Internet. In a new market research report, Insight takes a balanced view of the WiFi market, projecting its growth and assessing its impact on the North American and European telecommunications structure. As the popularity of wireless access to the Internet grows, expert groups are speeding up efforts to create standards that allow WiFi network users to have access to multiple networks just as voice wireless customers can have their phone calls go through over multiple networks. Given the many competing standards and potential conflicts with the mobile world, Insight’s research report reviews the various technologies and protocols, how they interact, and which are likely to succeed. In addition, this research report examines the carriers and vendors leading the way in the WiFi market, the regulatory, security and technology challenges, and the prospects for both the corporate enterprise and home networking markets. Revenue forecasts are provided for equipment, service provision, and the business and residential markets.

Report Excerpt

Introduction to WiFi War driving—traveling through neighborhoods using laptop software to find and classify WiFi hotspots—is the kind of spectator sport that ought to have the telecommunications industry on its feet cheering. In Europe and North America, WiFi is one of the few bright spots on the technology landscape. In these regions, wireless local area networking (LAN) technology is springing up in airports, cafes, and along city streets, creating ubiquitous broadband access in public and private spaces. Insight’s research suggests that WiFi growth will not come at the expense of 2.5G, 3G, or private wireless networks, nor will it come at the expense of xDSL, cable modems, or other forms of wired broadband access. WiFi’s impact on telecommunications revenue, rather, will be multiplicative; creating bigger broadband networking opportunities for all participants. WiFi refers to the series of wireless networking standards developed by the Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) under the 802.11 Working Group. The term “WiFi” was initially copyrighted by the WiFi Alliance to refer only to 802.11b, but has since been extended to encompass the entire list of standards based on the 802.11 series (although typically used to describe 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g). WiFi technology combines the best of two well-established technologies: Ethernet and wireless communications. Some analysts contend that broadband access is driving the adoption of WiFi, because customers who want high-speed data access want the greater convenience of access without wires. Others believe that WiFi is driving broadband, because there is little use to having a 10 Mbit/s wireless network inside a home or small office hooked up to a 56 Kbit/s modem connection, especially with several computers trying to share it. Insight’s analysis suggests that wireline broadband and WiFi are complementary technologies, creating a reciprocal demand that will have a beneficial impact on all types of broadband services. Comparing WiFi in North America and Europe Our research suggested a number of factors that will drive European adoption of WiFi at a faster rate than North American growth over the forecast period: •  Office PCs’ adoption in Europe lags North American rates suggesting fewer WiFi upgrades and more new units shipped with WiFi capability. •  Given Europe’s older stock of commercial buildings, WiFi becomes an attractive way to upgrade for networking without the expense associated with inside wiring. •  Europe has an established highly mobile communication-oriented population thanks to the success of global system for mobile communications (GSM). •  Europe’s café culture and ubiquitous mass transit systems lend themselves to public hotspots. •  A concentrated population in a relatively small geographic area improves the economics of a hotspot business model. While North American adoption put WiFi on the map just a few years ago, ... Click here for the complete Executive Summary.

Bring your laptop onboard and get online while flying – from any seat in the cabin. Our flexible and affordable service offers a high-speed Internet connection comparable to that of a modern home or office. With Connexion by Boeing, you can:

• Send and receive E-mail
• Browse the Internet
• Access your Company Intranet

Curious how Connexion by Boeing connects you to the Internet?

• Learn How our Service Works

San Jose, CA -- Twenty seven companies from the Wi-Fi industry have formed a coalition to accelerate the IEEE 802.11n standard development process and promote a technology specification for next-generation wireless local area networking (WLAN) products. By introducing a specification with widespread industry support, the Enhanced Wireless Consortium (EWC) hopes to speed ratification of an 802.11n standard, while enabling an ecosystem of high-performance WLAN products built to a common set of guidelines. This widely adopted specification will benefit consumers by, among other things, ensuring the interoperability of next-generation wireless products across a variety of brands and platforms.

The Enhanced Wireless Consortium has developed a specification that is designed to enable consumers to enjoy new levels of wireless performance, coverage and interoperability prior to ratification of an 802.11n standard. The EWC specification defines technologies that address the PC and networking equipment market, as well as emerging handheld and consumer electronic applications. The consortium has designed its specification to support speeds of up to 600 Mbps, and is considering the inclusion of other advanced technologies -- including Space Time Block Coding (STBC) and beamforming -- that will enable systems to deliver greater range for wireless products across multiple market segments and support advanced multimedia applications.

The EWC will make its draft product specification available for public download and will provide implementation rights to all silicon suppliers and system vendors who join the organization. Among the current members are Airoha, Apple, Atheros, Azimuth, Broadcom, Buffalo, Cisco Systems, Conexant, D-Link, Gateway, Intel Corporation, Lenovo, Linksys, LitePoint, Marvell, Metalink, NETGEAR, Ralink, Realtek, SANYO, Sony, Symbol Technologies, Toshiba, USRobotics, WildPackets, Winbond, and ZyDAS. If the EWC specification is ratified by the IEEE, EWC members have agreed to make their intellectual property (IP) necessary to the specification available to all parties on
reasonable and non-discriminatory (RAND) terms.

Members of the EWC will continue to work within the IEEE Task Group "N" to facilitate a ratified 802.11n standard. Its specification includes many elements of previous proposals, which will accelerate the completion of a merged proposal draft within the official IEEE timeline.

The EWC specification comprises a number of technical elements, including:

• Mixed-mode interoperability with 802.11a/b/g networks -- provides enhanced performance while maintaining communication with legacy devices;
  
• PHY transmission rates up to 600Mbps -- supports applications requiring high data rates (such as transmitting multiple HDTV streams), and reduces battery drain by minimizing the time required to send and receive data streams;
  
• Enhanced efficiency MAC with frame aggregation -- brings actual throughput closer to the raw PHY rate, providing end users with at least 100 Mbps application level bandwidth;
  
• Use of 2.4GHz and/or 5GHz unlicensed bands -- matches the frequency plan of existing 802.11 devices;
  
• 20MHz and/or 40MHz channel support -- uses more of the wireless spectrum when available to enhance performance;
  
• Spatial multiplexing modes for simultaneous transmission using 1 to 4 antennas -- increases robustness of wireless connections to support very high data rates;
  
• Enhanced range via multiple antennas and advanced coding -- provides for a wider coverage area with consistent wireless speeds.

For additional information about the Enhanced Wireless Consortium and a complete listing of member companies, please visit http://www.enhancedwirelessconsortium.org.

SOURCE: Enhanced Wireless Consortium

Wireless and Mobility Conference

The Wireless and Mobility Conference will cut through the seemingly endless supply of innovations that have driven explosive growth in the market and more product and technology choices than ever before. With the proliferation of business-class devices, aggressive mobile broadband roll-outs from the carriers and an intense focus on the mobile market from business software vendors, the promise of true Mobility is finally becoming a reality. Increase productivity and efficiency by enabling real-time exchange of information within an increasingly distributed and mobile workforce. Learn how to extend application and data resources to mobile workers regardless of location or device, over preferred wireless access networks. Whether mobilizing email, CRM, ERP or field service applications, careful planning and product and technology selection are critical and the Wireless and Mobility Conference will prepare you for a successful mobile deployment. Develop a sound management and security strategy, increasingly important as mobile devices gain deeper access into sensitive business applications and data. Get information to help you choose the right device platform and operating environment to future proof your mobile technology investment and ensure a successful roll-out.

May 19, 2004

Wireless Notebooks To See Rapid Growth, Enhance Small Business Productivity, States ITSPA

META Group Reveals Mobility and Wireless

Can Offer Businesses A Competitive Advantage

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – DALLAS, TX – The META Group predicts that the adoption of wireless notebook computers will increase from 18-37 percent, and wireless desktops from 5-17 percent, by 2006, reported the Information Technology Solution Providers Alliance (ITSPA), a national, non-profit alliance that helps small to medium-size businesses (SMBs) understand how local technology providers can help them grow.

“The META Group’s insight is important for the nation’s 22 million SMBs, which can benefit from the potential productivity gains that wireless computing offers their employees,” said ITSPA Vice-President Chuck Sharp.  “The META Group estimates that the use of mobile notebooks can increase an individual’s weekly work output up to 13 percent -- or six additional hours -- compared to desktop users.

“The report also reveals that information technology (IT) professionals estimate that wireless networks cost an average of ten percent less to acquire, deploy, maintain and support,” Sharp said.  “The data offers compelling insight into the potential business impact of adopting mobile and wireless technology for both cost savings and productivity benefits.  ITSPA recommends that SMBs adopt wireless and mobile computers to help grow their business and enhance their ability to compete.”

Sharp pointed out that SMBs are leading the growth and acceptance of mobility products in the United States.  According to the META Group survey, Sharp said, “companies that adopt wireless mobility technology will find a payback in as little as 6-12 months in terms of end-user productivity, business efficiency and overall operational effectiveness.”

Mobile Computing and Job Satisfaction

The META Group report, sponsored by Intel Corporation, includes data from a survey of 300 IT decision makers and end users.  The majority of desktop computer users feel that mobile computing would improve job satisfaction.

“Half of the surveyed employees who now use desktops think having mobile computers will improve job satisfaction, and 70 percent said it will give them more flexibility as far as work locations and hours,” said Jack Gold, vice president and lead analyst for the META Group survey.

“Mobile computing is evolving rapidly and SMB decision makers who use wireless notebooks cite significant improvements in computer responsiveness and the quality of interactive email discussions,” Sharp said.  “The META Group report is compelling and reveals that desktop computer users all over the world can expect significant work style improvements by moving to notebook computing.

“For example, desktop users said they expect mobile notebooks to provide up to a 30 percent improvement in email communication as far as time savings, efficiency and effectiveness,” Sharp added.

“SMBs should focus on specific business needs and deploy wireless technology as part of a 3-5 year business planning process,” Sharp said.  “ITSPA recommends that SMB executives who need help developing their wireless plan should seek consultation and advice from local IT solution providers.  SMB decision makers can locate local IT solution providers by referring to the Yellow Pages or using an Internet search engine.  Also, ITSPA will soon provide SMBs with the ability to find solution providers in their communities on the Alliance’s Web site (www.itspa.net).”

Additionally, members of ITSPA’s Technology Committee, which is made up of IT directors from the nation’s most successful solution providers, offered tips on how SMBs could successfully adopt mobility products and business strategies:

·         Move to mobility as rapidly as possible…but in stages.  SMB decision makers should first assess where the greatest payback will be—both in effort and cost—as far as introducing mobility into their companies.  Mobility and wireless offer significant benefits to a company in terms of productivity and growth, and can have a short payback period.

·         Establish list of business needs vs. user requirements.  The list can be used to establish what mobility products/strategies need to be deployed first with the least difficulty and/or greatest gain.  SMBs should consider listing, in hierarchical order, user types and business requirements that allow them to quickly determine the payback levels for each category.

·         Make small technology shifts…and preferably during a refresh cycle.  It’s usually easier to make mobility changes when buying new systems every three years.  However, because knowledge workers can benefit almost immediately from new mobility products, SMBs should evaluate whether the cost of change before the refresh period is offset by improved productivity.

·         Evaluate carefully various wireless technologies.  Although many mobile products such as notebooks, tablets and PDAs are ready for prime time, not all wireless technologies are at the same maturity level.  For instance, some cellular data networks and wireless wide-area networks in various parts of the world are still being deployed and are relatively costly to use.  SMBs should evaluate specific technologies based on need and availability.

·         Protect your mobile devices.  Analysts’ reports indicate about 90 percent of mobile devices lack protection to ward off hackers.  Also, identity theft is on the rise as users accidentally lose their mobile devices, which are full of confidential enterprise data.  SMBs are advised to install mobile firewalls and purchase mobile management tools.

Europe grows WiFi faster than North America

By Anthony Newman, Friday 24 October 2003

Established wireline and wireless network providers will be among the big beneficiaries of the $163 billion USD to be spent worldwide over the next five years on WiFi services and equipment, according to a new market research study from Insight Research Corporation. WiFi is a technology that combines Ethernet and wireless communications, making it possible for computers and other electronic gear to send and receive high-speed data in a local area network without a wired connection.

Insight Research's analysis of the WiFi industry, WiFi in North America and Europe: Telecommunications' Future 2003-2008, suggests that wireless LAN technology - increasingly popping up in public spaces such as airports and cafes, in private residences, and in businesses - will grow faster in Europe than North America. Worldwide WiFi revenues are expected to grow from $7 billion USD in 2003 to over $44 billion USD by 2008, at a compounded annual rate of 44 percent.

The analysis further finds that the takeup of broadband is in a reciprocal relationship with the adoption of WiFi, with the two technologies driving each other's prevalence.

The report examines the factors driving adoption of WiFi, equipment revenues, and service-related revenues. This industry research report forecasts revenues for North America and Europe by core network equipment, antennas, end-user devices, wireless Internet service providers (WISPs), traditional ISPs, fixed operators, and mobile operators. The growth of worldwide WiFi hotspots locations is also projected over the 5-year forecast period.

WiFi is indeed becoming big-business, as its increasing inclusion in handhelds goes to show. Even relatively low-end PDAs now include integrated wireless or at least have a suitable expansion slot, and this is a good measure of the popularity of the technology.

Home Network Router Security Secrets, Andy Walker, InformIT, April 7, 2006

Hey neighbor, stop piggybacking my Wi-Fi, Michel Marriott, New York Times, Gadsden Times, March 5, 2006

Coffee Shop WiFi for dummies, Scott Grannernan, SecurityFocus, February 9, 2006

Wireless Tips: Your Wireless Network Needs a Security Update, Andrew Brandt, PC World, January 27, 2006

Blocking Wi-Fi moochers to protect yourself, Sarah Staples, CanWest News Service, Canada.com, January 20, 2006

Complete Guide to Wi-Fi Security, Tony Bradley & Becky Waring, JiWire, last update December 6, 2005

10 ways to wireless security, Deb Shinder, TechRepublic, ZDNet UK, September 30, 2005

Home net vendors aim to simplify security installs, Keith Shaw, Network World, August 22, 2005

"One-Touch" Wireless Security -- Buffalo Technology's AOSS vs. Linksys' Secure Easy Setup, Humphrey Cheung & Tim Higgins, Small Net Builder, June 22, 2005

How To Crack WEP -- Part 3: Securing your WLAN, Humphrey Cheung, Small Net Builder, June 7, 2005