Break free: a user's guide to wireless technology today--and tomorrow.

• Author: Gaby, Bob
• Position: WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY

It's no secret that wireless technology continues to change the way we access information and conduct business. Consider the following:

* 95 percent of all notebooks shipped include Wi-Fi;

* 50 million hotspot users worldwide;

* 74 percent of mobile workers will have VPN access by the end of 2005; and

* By 2006, more than 113,000 hotspots will exist worldwide.

Today, users rely on wireless technology to e-mail, transfer files and browse the internet. It's useful, but tends to be slow. Unless you live in a major metropolitan area or have deep pockets, high-speed wireless connectivity is only a dream.

This dream, however, will soon become a reality, thanks to recent and planned advancements in Bluetooth, cellular and Wi-Fi technologies, along with the emergence of WiMAX technology.

High-speed wireless will allow users to access corporate networks, e-mail and browse web pages just about anywhere using a laptop, PDA or cell phone--at a price that won't break the bank.

With this prospect in mind, let's review the four types of wireless technology, including how they are used and what improvements are on the horizon. They are:

* Personal Area Network;

* Local Area Network;

* Metropolitan Area Network; and

* Wide Area Network.

PERSONAL AREA NETWORK

Commonly known as Bluetooth, PAN technology is used for short-range communication (10 meters or less) between devices, such as phone to PC, printer to PC and handheld to PC.

The most common application is the wireless headset for a cell phone. Bluetooth 1.2 devices can communicate at speeds up to 1 mbps (megabytes per second). Bluetooth 2.0 will be three times as fast, backwards compatible and consume less power, enabling users to connect several devices--mouse, keyboard and headphones--to their computer with less latency and fewer delays.

Apple already has equipped its latest notebook computers with Bluetooth 2.0 technology.

LOCAL AREA NETWORK

Just when you thought you had mastered the alphabet soup of wireless standards (802.11a, b and g), a new standard is about to emerge that will leave them all in the dust.

LAN technology, also known as Wi-Fi, is about to take a quantum leap with significantly improved range and throughput. Using 802.11n technology, individuals will be able to read e-mail, browse the internet and stream video anywhere in the home or office.

Wireless video surveillance, video streaming, voice over IP and large file transfer finally will be a reality--at least that is the promise of...