When it comes to Christian media and wireless Internet connection, nothing is more important than accessibility and reliability. Church groups have already started to use streaming media as a medium for sermon broadcasts and many other services. So it needs to be fast, absent of any breakups or choppy videos.
Intel will be introducing the next-generation wireless chip, code-named Calexico 2 and officially called the Intel Pro/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection, expected to be released early 2005. As part of the Centrino chip bundle, the component is primarily for client devices such as notebooks and is compatible with all Wi-Fi standards: 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g. This will offer people the full range of wireless connections to local area networks.
The previous Intel wireless networking chip connected to only the 802.11b and 802.11g networks. The 802.11b access points operate at 11 Mbps (Mega Bits Per Second). 802.11g is an extension to 802.11b, with a broadened data rate of 54 Mbps within the 2.4 GHz band.
Similar to 802.11g, 802.11a delivers up to 54 Mbps, with extensions to even higher data rates possible by combining channels. Running within the 5 GHz band, the 802.11a standard will experience less interference from radio frequencies, such as cordless phones and operating microwaves. This means that you will have a higher throughput and your streaming media will less likely be choppy compared to the 802.11b and g. According to Jim Johnson, Intel vice president and general manager of the company’s wireless networking group, 802.11a’s market niche is growing because companies are developing media applications that are better supported in 802.11a wireless networks.
Though the market for 802.11a-base products is small compared to 802.11b and g, it is growing. Despite what connection you have, incorporating all the standards means wider accessibility for you.
