Wi-Mesh standardisation process begins

Discussions will begin today at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) to hammer out a standard for Wi-Mesh networks, or 802.11s. 

The standards committee will be sitting for a week in San Francisco and has 15 proposals to consider.

Two industry bodies will be presenting views of how the standard should be set: the Wi-Mesh Alliance made up of Nortel, Philips and others, and SEEMesh (Simple, Efficient and Extensible Mesh) backed by Intel, Nokia and Motorola. 

"The ever expanding proliferation of wireless devices and communication services has made the development of a worldwide standard for mesh wireless Lans critical to their future success," said Mark Whitton, vice president of wireless solutions at Nortel.

"Wireless users expect secure seamless access anywhere, anytime, and the new standard proposed by the Wi-Mesh Alliance is designed to enable mesh wireless Lans to meet those expectations as wireless communications continue to evolve.

"Nortel has worked closely with the Wi-Mesh Alliance to develop the new standard by contributing the best of its global experience and leadership in deploying mesh networks."

Wi-Mesh is designed to extend the reach of Wi-Fi networks indoors and outdoors over long distances by letting multiple access points carry each others' traffic. 

While Wi-Fi hotspots need a direct connection to the internet, mesh networks pass the data request on until a network connection is found.

The IEEE will also have to consider how to integrate other complementary and associated standards such as Wi-Max and 802.11n into its Wi-Mesh specifications.