802.11n Wi-Fi to 'surpass wired Ethernet'

802.11n Wi-Fi technology delivers substantial improvements to throughput and range

Enterprise adoption of next-generation 802.11n Wi-Fi technology is " unprecedented", according to a new report, despite the standard being ratified only as a draft.

"Wi-Fi Certified 802.11n will eventually surpass wired Ethernet as the dominant enterprise Lan access technology," said Paul DeBeasi, senior analyst at the Burton Group, who prepared the report for the Wi-Fi Alliance.

"Enterprises should begin 802.11n migration planning now by thoroughly understanding the deployment considerations."

The advanced Wi-Fi standard delivers substantial improvements to throughput and range compared to previous generations, enabling enterprises to use Wi-Fi networks for a widening array of applications and an increasing number of users.

"The uptake of 802.11n draft 2.0 has been unprecedented," added Wi-Fi Alliance executive director Edgar Figueroa.

The Wi-Fi Alliance has certified numerous products based on 802.11n draft 2.0 since testing began in June 2007.

More than 35 enterprise-grade infrastructure products from a variety of vendors have been tested as Wi-Fi Certified.

Analyst firm ABI Research forecasts that 47 per cent of all Wi-Fi chipset shipments in 2008 will be 802.11n draft 2.0.