While the added privacy offered by AES is significant, 802.11i also
includes a well-defined authentication mechanism based on the existing
802.1X and EAP (extensible authentication protocol) framework. By
combining AES and 1X/EAP, dynamic key management tied to user
authentication is now available on 802.11 networks through a
standardized protocol suite. Previous attempts to implement
authentication with dynamic keys were largely proprietary. Not only does
802.11i provide for authentication and privacy, it also paves the way
for role-based authorization services on wireless LANs, where network
access permissions are tied to user credentials and group membership.
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Emergence of 3G Services in the United States
Verizon's expanded delivery of 3G CDMA2000 EV-DO services, following its
late-2003 initial deployment in Washington, DC, and San Diego, signaled
the emergence of high-speed carrier-based data services as a mainstream
service offering. Now covering a potential population of 75 million
users, almost a third of the company's total cellular coverage
footprint, EV-DO offers a near-broadband user experience, with
downstream TCP/IP throughput in excess of 500 kilobits per second.
The delivery of EV-DO is not only significant for current and future
Verizon customers, it also has forced the hand of competitors, who can't
afford to let Verizon capture market share for what the industry hopes
will be a lucrative market--one that will deliver higher profits at a
time of eroding voice revenues. AT&T Wireless followed suit by
delivering UMTS data services, the 3G service strategy embraced by GSM
carriers. While not as fast as EV-DO, UMTS is a credible high-speed
offering that presents a clear migration path to even faster services.
The acquisition of AT&T Wireless by Cingular provides the combined
company with the additional resources and spectrum to push this network
nationwide. Cingular has announced its intention to do so in 2006.
Finally, Sprint, which recently merged with Nextel, also has indicated
its intention to deliver EV-DO services in 2005.
Subsea cable alternatives can provide a level of comfort for those concerned about disruptions. Realistically, they will continue to play a small, but critical role in the short term.
Maintaining existing network infrastructures often incurs huge technical debt before newer technologies are adopted over time.
Amid ongoing regional uncertainties, telecom infrastructure in the Middle East has expand to include terrestrial low-latency network infrastructure, which offers resilience and agility in navigating political complexities without relying solely on undersea networks.
