WIFI and stuff.... (YDIW)

[gramps2]

YDIW

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nf/20030722/bs_nf/21947

Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ - news) and Verizon Wireless have embarked on separate Wi-Fi strategies -- a move that Wiggins suggests may have to be reevaluated. "Ultimately, all of the wireline carriers are very interested in this market, so it doesn't make sense for Verizon and Verizon Wireless to have separate strategies."

Verizon's wireline strategy is positioning Wi-Fi as another form of high-speed Internet access, along with DSL, for their business customers. Its actual implementation has left some industry watchers scratching their heads, though.

Earlier this spring, the company activated some 150 access points -- mainly pay-phone kiosks -- in New York city, after a test run in Boston. "It's hard to see how these data points would work on the street," Wiggins said.

On a broader scale, though, Verizon's embrace of Wi-Fi could pay dividends, IDC analyst Keith Waryas told NewsFactor. "If they go nationwide with this ... they will be a force to be reckoned with," he said. For its part, Verizon Wireless is reselling Wayport access, targeting the SMB market. These services are expected to be available in Q3.