Introduction | Advantages | Standards | Software | Security
Communications | Objections | Conclusion | References

As telecommunications continue to improve, bandwidth and traffic problems will hopefully be eliminated or reduced. Digital phone lines (ISDN), fiber optics, modem technology, and other communications means will assist users in transferring and receiving data more efficiently. And with the introduction of new communication devices, like the Network Computer, network traffic is sure to grow exponentially.

Cisco Systems, the world's premier networking company, estimates that only 1% of the world's population is "on-line" currently. If this is true, and if we are already experiencing bandwidth/capacity problems (as with the night of the Presidential election where over 50 million people logged onto the CNN.com site, which caused traffic/access problems for many), there is a clear need for the network infrastructure to expand with the rapid growth of the Internet.

One question remains though, how should we expand the network infrastructure? Many people believe that cable (fiber optics, coax, ISDN) is the best means for transporting large amounts of data over the network. However, other people believe that wireless communications technology will emerge as one of the best solutions for the problem of limited bandwidth- due to it's portability, flexibility, and large capacity.

Companies like IBM, Motorola, SkyTel, and others are working on ways to improve wireless communications technologies. One recent development in wireless technology (wireless) involves the utilization of radio frequency (RF) waves to transfer data. Radio stations may someday offer Internet access with extremely high bandwidth capacity and fast transfer times.

IBM has created a Mobile and Wireless Systems Unit dedicated to creating and developing new ways of computing remotely. Some of the products that they currently offer include: RF Data Collection Terminals, RF Multi-Function Terminals, AS/400 Wireless LAN Adapters, Wireless LAN Entry Adapters, Wireless LAN Adapters, and Wireless Modems. By utilizing RF technology instead of the traditional, more expensive cellular method, IBM hopes that it's products will offer an inexpensive, simple solution to the rising demand for greater bandwidth and mobile communications. These products, combined with the Network Computer could change the face of computing and communications altogether.