Wireless bodies co-operate on multi-gigabit Wi-Fi

The Wi-Fi Alliance and the Wireless Gigabit Alliance are to co-operate on a certification program for 60GHz Wi-Fi, in a move that could boost the development of next-generation wireless technologies.

60GHz wireless will allow devices to run at gigabit speeds, and the agreement is designed to encourage the development of products with this capability.

Phil Solis, practice director for wireless connectivity at ABI Research, believes that the agreement is important for the industry.

"By co-operating, the groups have set a course for interoperability and backwards compatibility that will accelerate the adoption and usefulness of multi-gigabit wireless networking," he said.

The Wireless Gigabit Alliance shares several members with the Wi-Fi Alliance, and was formed to unify the next generation of multi-gigabit wireless products by encouraging the adoption and widespread use of 60GHz wireless.

Ali Sadri, president of the Wireless Gigabit Alliance, said that working with the Wi-Fi Alliance would help to ensure that the standard for the multi-gigabit technology would be compatible with existing Wi-Fi technology.

"Now that our specification is complete and published, it is time to set our sights on driving a great user experience through interoperability and certification," he said.

Wi-Fi Alliance chief executive Edgar Figueroa added that the move will help to widen the scope for Wi-Fi technology.

"60GHz device connectivity will be an exciting enhancement to the capabilities of today's Wi-Fi technologies, and expand the utility of Wi-Fi," he said.