IEEE will push next 802.11 to 1Gbps speeds, two-letter designations in 2012

WiFi, you've come a long way, baby. Since those groovy days of plain 'ol 802.11, to your first single-letter designation, all the way up to your latest 802.11n ratification you've gotten faster, broader, and almost everywhere. Best of all, you've still got room to grow. If all goes well and Cusack's documentary doesn't prove accurate in 2012 you'll grow to 802.11ac, delivering a blistering 1Gbps and beyond. That's more wireless bandwidth than we'd know what to do with right now, but we'll find a way to use it. We always do. Together.

[Emjay Posted Dec 8th 2009 11:40AM]

WI-MAX-LOL-2012-AZ-TEC-S

XYZ-PDQ, designations in 2012.

Even with Wi-Fi Ns' range your neiebors are able to steal your internet in 2009. I personally don't like the range of N for computing, it is not large as Wi-Max though.

Funny thread Tim.

[Thiran Posted Dec 8th 2009 11:45AM]

Dear Engadget,

I think myself and the rest of the world would appreciate if you do not post in 3 years from now stating that the next wifi standard is going to be delayed. Ignorance is bliss :)

[sethk Posted Dec 8th 2009 12:27PM]

Keep in mind, wifi 'link' speeds are completely theoretical. Even under ideal conditions, achieving a throughput that is more than 35% of the rated speeds is a minor miracle. 802.11n requires multiple channels to be free (channel bonding) for maximum speed, and even then protocol and frame overheads, interference (2.4Ghz is a REALLY busy spectrum shared by bluetooth, home phones, wireless keyboards/mice etc.), two way communications, Encryption, all significantly cut into that bandwidth.

As your distance grows to more than 3 feet of the router, the speeds start dropping from even that.

I'll be gobsmacked if I get more than 100mbit in my home with a gigabit rated wifi setup.

[Wwhat Posted Dec 8th 2009 6:22PM]

@sethk
You seem overly negative, perhaps you should buy better quality stuff for a better experience?

[HektikLyfe Posted Dec 8th 2009 12:34PM]

There aren't 26 different iterations (yet) why go to two letters?

[Wwhat Posted Dec 8th 2009 6:50PM]

The other letters are in use, but just not that well known, example:
# IEEE 802.11p - WAVE — Wireless Access for the Vehicular Environment (such as ambulances and passenger cars)
# IEEE 802.11r - Fast roaming Working "Task Group r"
# IEEE 802.11s - Mesh Networking, Extended Service Set (ESS)
# IEEE 802.11T — Wireless Performance Prediction (WPP) - test methods and metrics Recommendation cancelled
# IEEE 802.11u - Interworking with non-802 networks (for example, cellular)
# IEEE 802.11v - Wireless network management
# IEEE 802.11w - Protected Management Frames
# IEEE 802.11y - 3650-3700 MHz Operation in the U.S.
# IEEE 802.11z - Extensions to Direct Link Setup (DLS)

Check wikipedia.org for details

[Jaylittles531 Posted Dec 8th 2009 12:45PM]

I manage about 400 Apple Computers (iMacs to MacBook Pros) and about 200 PC's.... This would be AWESOME for file transfer, backup and remote management!

I know when I install a program on multiple computers using Apple Remote Desktop it takes about 5 minutes to do all the one connected ethernet but wireless, well its not quite 802.11AC :-)

[SirNoDroin Posted Dec 8th 2009 12:58PM]

why do people seem to think everything "streams" in real time, ever hear of a buffer? jeeze...

1gbps over wifi is nice, I would love to get rid of the cables running through out my apartment.

[lee7n Posted Dec 8th 2009 1:36PM]

Is N even offical yet?, at the rate they move it will be 2112 to get this stuff ready.

[Wwhat Posted Dec 8th 2009 6:55PM]

@lee7n
Yes, approved on October 29, 2009

[khamikaze Posted Dec 8th 2009 2:09PM]

By the way, I am not seeing the any approved/official 802.11n devices in the shelves...
Where are them?

[Wwhat Posted Dec 8th 2009 6:20PM]

@khamikaze
Yeah it's funny, they have gotten so used to the wait that they didn't even notice that n has gone official, and since the whole world went draft-n the customers probably would be asking why a router didn't support 'draft' when you used the official n :)

[Wwhat Posted Dec 8th 2009 6:37PM]

Just checked the box of my router, it has the logo with the purple and 'n' and the word certified' but in the feature description on the box it says 'draft n 2.0', so they are official n but don't want to admit it I guess.
The certification logo is only on the side and relatively small too, it really seems an afterthought/embarrassment..

[jimr1234567890 Posted Dec 8th 2009 2:11PM]

what are the best tools and way to fish new Ethernet through an existing house with a finished basement?

Not many economical choices so I have to settle for WiFi. The fast they can make them with out cooking my brains the better.

[iroq d mullet Posted Dec 8th 2009 3:37PM]

i think we'll all be too dead to worry about gigabit wifi.

[combouser Posted Dec 8th 2009 6:01PM]

for those that worry about their neighbors hopping on, why don't you reduce the power output of your router to keep it relatively within your own walls. I *wish* i had a house big enough to worry about extenders and such. But as it is for me, i live in a 900 sq. ft. condo. I just got a PS3, and strung 30 ft. cat6 cable to it, not pretty but so far Playon seems to work fine. Bright yellow so you will not trip on it and neighbors can go buy their own service.

[BPMOmega XBL PSN Steam Posted Dec 8th 2009 11:33PM]

Yeah, I can't wait for 802.11☺. Truly will be the happiest connection speeds and range ever.

[dSTeVek Posted Dec 9th 2009 7:14AM]

Are you sure that wasn't 2102?