While we're not big fans of proprietary standards, this is a good indication of the future: If you own one of several D-Link 802.11g products, you can now download the firmware upgrade that boosts the maximum speed among D-Link devices to 108 Mbps. (Really, it's Atheros under the hood that's providing this bump. We don't know if all Atheros-based G gear will interoperate at 108 Mbps, but it's likely.) Actual throughput? We don't know yet.
The 802.11n committee at the IEEE will be working on increasing the rated speed of wireless LANs and improving the net throughput. Real-world experiments like Atheros and D-Link's might provide data points, but they almost certainly won't increase market share. Most home users don't need 108 Mbps raw, and wouldn't have a good reason to use it. Business users wouldn't buy consumer gear, nor would they buy a proprietary solution that didn't have a guaranteed upgrade path.
Remember D-Link's previous chip vendor Texas Instruments's 802.11b+ (PBCC-based 22 Mbps)? Those chips can't be taken to 802.11g, and I doubt Atheros would guarantee that 802.11g + 108 Mbps could be brought up to 802.11n (nor should they make such a promise). [via eHomeUpgrade]
I disagree with Glenn's comment, "Most home users don't need 108 Mbps raw, and wouldn't have a good reason to use it."
Most Wi-Fi users don’t realize that they WILL need 108Mbps connectivity. Today and in the future, people will find that they want to do more than just have a network for file or print serving capabilities. Enter the connected home, where you will be able to stream digital video and audio on media clients connected to televisions and stereos in every room in your house.
Here are some of examples where 802.11b/11Mbs or even 802.11g/54Mbps will not do the trick:
You have a TiVO Series2 that you want to connect to home network so you can stream recorded programs to other TiVos in your house.
You want to stream your whole collection of HIGH-QUALTIY, lag and gitter free home videos, DiVx flixs, Windows Media 9 videos, or MP3/WMA/AAC collection to anywhere in your house.
Given that turbo mode doesn't reduce interoperbility and doesn't cost more, I don't see why business users would turn it off.
Wes,
I had lots of trouble with the D-Link Airplus equipment using non-D-Link stuff until I switched off the 22Mbps speed option. I don't have a lot of confidence that the new Airplus Extreme will show any more interoperability and might switch it off just to avoid potential problems.
So, I don't think it's a "given," but I hope it works. The 50Mbps+ potential speed boost is a good reason to go all D-Link.
T
I agree with Alexander's comment. Not needing 108mbps is like saying we don't need anything above 386 CPU nearly a decade ago for home computers (gasp!) If the technology is there, electronic manufactures and software makers will find a way to utilize it. Otherwise, we all still be driving Model T's.