Wi-MAx And Information Transport Systems In the Spotlight At BICSI Spring Conference

The BICSI 2005 Spring Conference, held at the Mirage Resort and Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev., May 2 –5, drew more than 3,200 telecommunications professionals to learn about the new markets and services that deliver information for audio, data, video or voice circuits over a common physical network.

These networks have developed into a niche of the voice/data/video (VDV) business now called the “information transport (ITS) industry.” BICSI’s interests in this market segment are so strong that the Tampa-based trade association developed a new logo with a tagline that says, “Advancing information transport systems” to affirm its support of the ITS industry.

Popular educational sessions at BICSI’s Spring Conference covered the integration of business information systems and building automation systems; the basics of video surveillance systems (CCTV); new developments in local area network (LAN) cabling; optical fiber cable and connectors for premise applications; and installing wireless LAN systems.

The technologies that received much of the attention on the exhibit floor and in technical presentations included wireless communications, radio frequency identification (RFID), high-performance copper cabling, indoor/outdoor fiber-optic cable, voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and industrial Ethernet cabling. Another seminar dealt with National Electrical Code standard for abandoned communications cable.

Wireless communications will bring a host of services to mobile users. Cell phones, wireless LANs, wireless home networks and Wi-Fi sites allow voice and data communications to take place without any location restrictions.

The most intriguing aspect of wireless communications is probably Wi-Fi. The next generation of Wi-Fi is projected to offers faster speeds and a much greater range. Wi-Max is expected to deliver date speeds of 70Mbps or more over distances of more than 37 miles – true wireless broadband service. While faster data speeds of Wi-Max attract attention, the important advantage is its greater range. Much like cellular service, Wi-Max signals can blanket specific neighborhoods or an entire city.