Wi-Fi For A Song

      Wi-Fi is the name for wireless standards known as 802.11. The number stands for a family of specifications developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers that enable manufacturers to create compatible products that communicate without wires. There are four such specifications: 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g. They all operate in unregulated spectrum. Originally Wi-Fi stood for 802.11b, but is now used pretty much for all.
      Ratified in 1999, 802.11b worked well with Ethernet, the dominant standard for wired networks, and quickly caught on. Wireless networks built around 802.11b popped up in restaurants, offices and homes, where they are often used to share Internet connections. These networks — particularly those in public spaces — are known as "hot spots." There weren't too many hot spots available for truckers this year, but during 2003 it became clear they're on the way.
      In 2003, devices built to the faster 802.11g standard came onto the market, pushing down the cost of the earlier 802.11b hardware. Of course, 802.11b is more than adequate for most Internet and truck-related applications.
      The bottom line: Wi-Fi, especially the 802.11b incarnation, is easily affordable.

Trucking Tech continued...