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Link to this report (PDF Document, 230Kb)
16/04/2003
45 pages
Short abstract :
Wireless technology provides business executives, office workers, small businesses and residential users with expanded opportunities to connect to the Internet outside the limited area dictated by fixed networks. Wireless LAN (WLAN) standards enable anyone to set up a network easily and share a broadband Internet connection among several computers equipped with wireless Ethernet cards. With these advantages, WLAN systems have been implemented as an extension to, or as an alternative for, a wired LAN. WLANs have been growing in popularity in a number of vertical markets over the past few years among OECD countries. In recent years, access to WLANs in a public place through access points (hot spots) is gradually changing the face of the telecommunications industry.
Table of contents:
Main points
I. Introduction
II. Overview of wireless LANs
2.1 What is a Wireless LAN?
2.2 Benefits of Wireless LANs
2.3 Disadvantages of Wireless LAN
2.4 Wireless LAN application
III. Standardisation of wireless LAN
3.1 Activities of industry groups
3.2 Equipment standards for WLANs at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
3.3 Radio technology
IV. Security of wireless LANs
4.1 Standard security features defined by IEEE
4.2 Vulnerabilities and risks
V. Alternative wireless technologies
5.1 Bluetooth
5.2 HomeRF
5.3 3G
VI. Implications for regulation
6.1 Potential issues for regulation
6.2 Regulatory frameworks and initiatives by OECD countries
VII. Implications for market competition
7.1 Developments of WLAN market competition
7.2 WLAN market development in some OECD countries
7.3 Community-based wireless networks
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