Groups agree gigabit wireless standard

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Gigabit wireless is on the cards after industry groups WiGig and the Wi-Fi Alliance teamed up to create a new specification that could lead to speeds up to 7Gbps.

The new system would make use of unlicensed 60 Ghz spectrum to make multi-gig wireless a reality. New tri-band devices would use the 60 Ghz spectrum along with 2.4 and 5 spectrum bands to offer such high speeds, while still working with some - but possibly not all - existing Wi-Fi gadgets.

"60 GHz device connectivity will be an exciting enhancement to the capabilities of today's Wi-Fi technologies," said Wi-Fi Alliance chief executive officer Edgar Figueroa in a statement. "It will expand the utility of Wi-Fi, used by hundreds of millions of people every day."

Dr. Ali Sadri, WiGig Alliance president and chairman, called for wireless companies to get involved. “WiGig can now provide the world’s leading innovators with a license to develop next-generation wireless products under royalty-free terms," he said in a statement.

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

Cisco also announced today it was joining WiGig and would sit on the group's board of directors. “Cisco sees 60 GHz technology as an important option in the evolution of wireless LANs in the enterprise, small business and home,” Bob Friday, Cisco's director of strategic initiatives for wireless, said in a statement.

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