Wireless: New Salvation for ISPs?

More than 100 million households will have wireless broadband capability within the next six years, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Wireless Bureau Chief John Muletta predicted Wednesday during an IPSCON keynote address. As broadband becomes widely available, wireless Internet connections and services are becoming an attractive alternative for the independent ISPs who are holding their semi-annual conference here this week. With cable companies and incumbent telephone carriers currently dominating the traditional home broadband market and other high-speed platforms such as broadband over electric power lines, satellite, and third- and fourth-generation wireless mobile technology still years away, wireless is one of the top topics at ISPCON.

"The time is near and we want to make sure applications ride seamlessly over wireless platforms," Muletta said. "We want to make sure the regulations don't get in the way."

Muletta, the former president of PSINet Ventures, said several elements must be in place for the great wireless leap forward. He cited the success of the cell phone industry as an example of a flexible regulations, combined with competition for customers who were willing to pay for new technology.

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