3G. Wireless Communication Solutions

Linksys announced a line-up of Wireless-N products in its Small Business Series: Wireless-N Access Point (WAP4400N), Wireless-N Gigabit Security Router with VPN (WRVS4400N) and Wireless-N CardBus Adapter (WPC4400N). These are the first Wireless-N products, based on the 802.11n draft specification which are designed and developed specifically for the small business environment.

The new small business products offer features that are not found in the currently shipping wireless-N products for home users:

* 4 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ports (Router) or 1 10/100/1000 Gigabit Port (AP)
* Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) (Router only)
* 802.1x client authentication
* Power Over Ethernet (PoE) (AP Only)
* Roaming (AP only)
* Wireless Multimedia Support (WMM)
* IPSec VPN Support (Router only)
* WPA-PSK/ENT and WPA2-PSK2/ENT Security Supported
* Linksys developed - Wireless Security Monitor (AP and PC Card only)

Designed to offer improved range and throughput, above wireless-G products, and robust security features, the WAP4400N, WRVS4400N and WPC300N deliver the capacity for small businesses to wirelessly share data, use applications, access the Internet, or make Internet phone calls - all at the same time at speeds greater than 10/100 Ethernet and with confidence that their network is highly secure. With whole-office coverage that virtually eliminates dead spots, Wireless-N enables business users the freedom to work, collaborate, and be productive everywhere, without the hassle of being tethered via wires.

Designed for better handling of bandwidth-hungry applications such as VoIP and video, these new devices feature longer range and higher bandwidth than those based on older standards. This could enable businesses to more easily cover their entire offices with wireless broadband reception, allowing employees to work away from their desks without encountering dead spots.

The access point and laptop adapter products are now available to U.S. small businesses at prices of $169 and $129, respectively. The VPN router, meanwhile is expected to hit the market in September, at a cost of $229.

Via: TeleClick

Nokia is pushing to popularize UMA (Unlicensed Mobile Access) technology in the mass market. The global mobile phone giant is putting the resourcesis to trial its first voice-over-wireless LAN system and service in Finland which will allow mobile users to make use of lower cost voice calls over the Internet.

The system, called Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA), is being tested by 50 households in the city of Oulu. They are using the Nokia 6136 handset which is among the first mobile phones to support the handover of voice and data calls between a WLAN and the local GSM network.

The users will be able to roam and handover between local area networks and wide area networks using the same dual-mode handset.

The handset does not need to continuously communicate with a GSM basestation, but will also make calls through WLAN Internet networks. Which opens up the use of lower cost voice-over-Internet protocol (VoIP) services.

UMA technology makes it possible for users to seamlessly roam and handover between local area networks and wide area networks using the same dual-mode device. Instead of constantly communicating with a base station, UMA allows the phone to also make calls through WLAN internet networks. In turn, this will also make it easier and cheaper for operators to expand their area coverage by implementing WLAN hotspots instead of costly base stations.

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