Although Wi-Fi wireless networking is in its infancy, Wi-Fi's
potential of
providing a "cloud" of Internet access while bypassing the
physical
infrastructure of telecommunications and cable companies is
already
generating responses from telecom companies. Recently, Time
Warner Cable,
AT&T Broadband, and SBC Communications have taken steps to
restrict
Internet and cable subscribers from using Wi-Fi to share
connections without
paying extra charges, and MIT's Nicholas Negroponte told a
Congressional
Internet Caucus Advisory Committee meeting that recent downturns
in
telecom stock prices may reflect a market change in which
consumers are
moving to new, uncharted methods to fulfill communication needs.
Indeed, a
grassroots movement is pushing the inexpensive technology, which
benefits
from a lack of control by the big cable and phone firms.
Meanwhile, wireless
companies and technology designers are beginning to bet on
Wi-Fi's
popularity: For instance, Intel plans to build Wi-Fi
functionality into its chips.
Cahners In-Stat predicts sales of Wi-Fi access cards and base
stations sales
will jump to $5.2 billion in 2005 from $1.9 during 2001.
(http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2002/08/11/financial1311EDT0010.DTL)