Wireless leads network convergence revolution

The seamless hand off between public, corporate, and home networks is here, erasing traditional boundaries and ushering in a time in which one pervasive network will prevail.

Reflecting this change, wireless local area networks are reaching out to provide network connectivity between offices, hallways, and conference rooms. But it doesn't end there. Wireless coverage is on a steady march into public spaces, homes, and cars, and by the end of 2003 it will board the plane on a traveler's next flight.

While the business and social repercussions are still being understood, the end result is the arrival of transparent, seamless access to services, regardless of location, according to Anil Uberoy, senior vice president of business technology at Xacct Technologies in Santa Clara , Calif.

Xacct Technologies inked a deal last week with Boeing that will put Wi-Fi on Lufthansa Airlines, with British Airways and Japan Airlines to follow shortly. U.S. carriers are expected to retrofit their planes for transcontinental flights before the end of the year, Uberoy said.

The Wi-Fi hubs on the plane will connect to Boeing's satellite system delivering 20GB of spectrum to each plane. When shared among all the passengers, this will deliver a DSL-quality connection to each seat.

While the digital convergence puzzle is still being completed, one of the most important pieces is already in place — VoIP (Voice over IP).

A clear indication of its arrival and advancing maturity in the enterprise is the availability of third-generation, IP-based PBXs from the likes of Cisco, Avaya, 3Com, Nortel, Siemens, and others. These newer systems, designed to replace the older and reliable analog system, can finally rate as an equal.

According to Joan Vandermate, vice president of product management at Munich-based Siemen's enterprise networks , IP PBXs are on par with the old systems in terms of functionality, reliability, and scalability.