802.11n is set to become the new standard

The long saga of 802.11n has been an exercise in frustration--while the technology has been a reality for some time now, the standard has been in limbo thanks to the IEEE's slow-moving standards committee. With new wireless technologies like 3G and WiMAX nipping at its heels, 802.11n is going to have to get a move on, or get left in the dust. Luckily, device manufacturers and trade groups like the Wi-Fi Alliance have shown some initiative and will start aggressively pushing certified products in 2007. This year we'll also see products that use the standard from major manufacturers like Intel and--if my gut instinct is right--Apple, who will announce an 802.11n-based upgrade to their AirPort hardware at MacWorld next week, just in time for the debut of their iTV IPTV product. 802.11n will become the new wireless standard in 2007--with or without the IEEE's blessing.