Questions Loom About Ultra-Wideband's Future as Bluetooth SIG Announces Use of 802.11

(Top News, 16 May 2008)

Members of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) has announced the development of Bluetooth over 802.11, giving Bluetooth a boost in data rate transfer and helping to quench consumer demand for added speed. Consequently, the UWB (Ultra-Wideband) market worries that this announcement may slow down or even suspend its relationship with Bluetooth; but ABI Research does not believe this will be the case.

"We're taking classic Bluetooth connections—using Bluetooth protocols, profiles, security, and other architectural elements—and allowing it to jump on top of the already present 802.11 radio, when necessary, to send bulky entertainment data, faster. When the speed of 802.11 is overkill, the connection returns to normal operation on a Bluetooth radio for optimal power management and performance," says Michael Foley, Executive Director of the Bluetooth SIG.

So where does this leave UWB?

"The Bluetooth SIG's announcement will not have an impact on the timing of the UWB market, as UWB remains set to be delivered as a viable radio to wireless handsets during the 2009/2010 time frame," says ABI Research senior analyst Douglas McEuen,

Moreover, the utilization of 802.11 is meant to fill a short-term role to the extent that UWB is being developed further, with UWB expected to be quite common in the future. Additionally, a combined Bluetooth/UWB WiMedia radio effectively opens the door to companies such as Alereon, Wisair, and WiQuest for entry into the Bluetooth market.

The inclusion of 802.11 inside the realm of Bluetooth can only attract more consumers, thereby setting the stage for UWB's implementation to attain its full potential in the coming years.

Click here for more information on the report "Ultra-Wideband Connectivity" from ABI Research