Will 802.11b customers choose 802.11g, or will they go directly to 802.11a?

Customers deploying wireless LANs today are more likely to choose a Wi-Fi solution, especially since there are strong indications of a standards-based approach to higher rate extension at 2.4 GHz. Even though 802.11g is not an official standard yet, its modulation schemes under consideration can accommodate potential data rates of up to 54 Mbps. Once the IEEE endorses an 802.11g proposal, the FCC is also expected to approve this standard. As 802.11g offers investment protection and backwards compatibility for the 802.11b installed base, customers will proceed with the 802.11b today, and continue to evaluate the progress of both 802.11g and 802.11a as higher-rate LAN options. The IEEE is expected to finalize the 802.11g standard by mid 2002.