802.11 Insider

In the not-too-distant future, South Florida could be covered in a wireless Internet blanket under which laptop users could check e-mail and surf the Web from sidewalk cafes, parks, libraries and even from their homes.

It’s already happening. A smattering of cities, such as Hollywood, have free limited wi-fi networks. A new network operated by Broward County - also free - just went online across a swath of downtown Fort Lauderdale, and Miami Beach is testing its own free citywide network this month.

Via: Miami Herald

Chicago wants to create a city-wide wireless Internet signal that would allow residents and visitors to surf the Web from anywhere.

The city this spring will solicit bids from technology companies to build and offer the wireless broadband - or Wi-Fi - service.

Via: WBBM 780

The heart of London’s financial district is preparing to go wireless. The Square Mile, Europe’s premier financial district, will soon feature WiFi “hotzones” which turn broadband-speed internet into radio signals that can then be used by laptops, PDAs, handheld game consoles and WiFi-enabled mobile phones.

Canada.com

Britain’s historic city of Bath is to host an experiment in advanced wireless computer technology that could provide the blueprint for developing the world’s next generation of mobile phones and lap-tops.

Called Cityware, the project will see 30 volunteers using state-of-the-art mobile telephones to access interactive technology and gauge its use.

Via: CNN

You can get wireless Internet service in your home. You can surf wirelessly in just about any coffee shop. Starting today, you can hook your laptop up to the Internet from a park bench, a street corner, your office — just about anywhere in two Colorado Springs neighborhoods.

Via: Colorado Springs Gazette

Downtown Beverly might soon be covered by a wireless network that will let people with laptop computers access the Internet while sitting inside coffee shops or outside on benches.

The Beverly Chamber of Commerce is trying to raise the estimated $10,000 it would cost to establish so-called Wi-Fi hot spots in the downtown business district. Salem set up the technology in a section of its downtown in 2004. It’s available on Newbury Street in Boston, as well as in other major cities across the country.

Via: Salem News

The City of Philadelphia is reporting that its contract with EarthLink to create a huge Wi-Fi hotspot calls for the telecommunications company to own the 135-square-mile network, with EarthLink to pay the city for rights to locate transmitters on city light posts.

Details of the 10-year contract were reported Monday by city officials. EarthLink will build and maintain the network, but the city’s Wireless Philadelphia unit will have some say in its operation.

Via: Information Week

Deployments of 802.11a deployments have been relatively sluggish, given that the technology’s has better flexibility for designing around interference. It has 12 to 23 non-overlapping channels in the 5 GHz range, compared to three in the 2.4 GHz range used by 802.11b and 11g.

Via Techworld

BenQ’s P50 PDA phone has begun shipping in Europe - almost two years after the company first showed the device to the public. The keyboard-equipped P50 made its debut in March 2004 at the CeBIT show. BenQ showed it again the following May at Taiwan’s Computex show, where we saw it for the first time.

Via: Reg Hardware

The home of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks and the NHL’s Dallas Stars has a Wi-Fi network that’s become a hit with owners, staff, fans and suppliers, improving customer service and increasing revenue.

Via: Network Computinmg