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John Chang is another analyst saying WLAN chips are red hot, but the prospect for 802.11a-only is growing dim. Chang, a senior analyst for Allied Business Intelligence (ABI), says he sees only a niche market for 802.11a-only solutions. With the growing move toward dual-band chipsets, the analyst foresees "limited interest" in 802.11a-only products.

Why the gloom? Chang points to Microsoft. The shift away from 802.11a-only products crystallized when Microsoft said after Windows XP it would withhold certification from 802.11a-only devices.

"On the PC platform, at least, the prospects for 802.11a-only solutions are dim," Chang says.

In its report predicting a 2007 Wi-Fi chip market worth more than $1 billion, ABI says that by 2004 dual-band chipsets will outnumber 802.11b and 802.11g. 802.11g has the potential to become the preferred WLAN protocol "once there is no perceptible premium over 802.11b," says Chang.

Tom Mitchell heartily disagrees with those saying 802.11a-only products are destined to be just a footnote in the history of wireless networking.

Mitchell is the CEO of RadioLAN Marketing Group. Based in San Jose, CA, RadioLAN makes bridging equipment allowing campuses, carriers, and WISPs to provide long distance connections. The distances can reach up to four miles. RadioLAN recently unveiled its BridgeLINK-11a Wireless Bridge. Mitchell says that in bridging, compatibility is a bad thing. Companies don't want 802.11b gear to sniff out their wireless data.

Mitchell says 5 GHz reduces interference and is more controlled than the more prevalent 2.4 GHz band. The networking executive says dual-band devices will never deliver the performance his customers require.

RadioLAN says that while consumers may not have a problem with their 802.11b connection cutting out every time the fridge turns on, such interference cannot be tolerated by businesses.

What does the future hold for 802.11a-only applications? Analysts say the standard can maintain limited use in environments where compatibility is not needed: Allen Nogee, analyst for In-Stat/MDR, says 802.11a's large data pipe and multiple available channels makes it ideal for video streaming, conferencing, or education.
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