Too Much, Too Fast

In particular, solution providers are concerned about the impending release of products supporting 802.11g, a standard being developed by the IEEE that promises speeds of up to 54 Mbps and backward compatibility with the popular 802.11b Wi-Fi.

Solution providers are concerned a new standard, coupled with early product releases, could stymie purchases by customers already confused by the growing number of wireless standards.

"It makes the sales cycle a lot longer," said Lutfi Abed, CEO of Monterey Information Systems, Monterey, Calif. "If we have deals sitting on the edge, customers could look at [802.11g and say, 'Why should I spend this kind of money [now?' "

The IEEE had initially expected to complete 802.11g by January 2003, but complexities in the standard have pushed back the date two times, first to March and then to May, said Bill Carney, director of business development for the wireless networking business at Texas Instruments and a member of the IEEE.

Sources have said D-Link and Linksys, among others, are preparing 802.11g-compliant products for release next quarter.

D-Link declined to provide specific product information.

A spokeswoman for Linksys said the company is planning to release a product that operates at 54 Mbps and works in Wi-Fi's 2.4GHz frequency. But she said Linksys won't promote it as 802.11g until the standard is ratified.

In addition, Linksys expects to provide a firmware upgrade for the product to ensure it is compliant with 802.11g once the standard is completed, she said.

Solution providers aren't the only ones concerned about the growing number of 802.11 variations. Chip makers also are speaking out. Sean Maloney, executive vice president and general manager of Intel's Communications Group, said confusion over various standards could dampen an otherwise hot-selling category.

"The last thing we need is a stinking standards war," he said during a press briefing at the Intel Developer Forum earlier this month.