This article discusses how European countries are far ahead of most countries when it comes to mobile communications technology, but how they are lagging behind when it comes to implementing fixed wireless communications systems. Wireless implementation in the United States, for instance, allows some cities to enjoy network speeds of forty five million bits per second (45 Mbps), which is the equivalent of what is known as a "T3". Part of the problem seems to stem from the fact that most European governments have yet to allocate parts of the radio spectrum dealing with wireless frequencies. This means that, like the FCC in the U.S., the governing bodies of Europe would have to decide which frequencies would be used for wireless network transmissions, so as not to interfere with other systems using frequencies in the same part of the transmission spectrum. Another discussion about hesitation to implement wireless technology appears to revolve around the fact that the Europeans don’t want to interfere with use of the broadband satellite systems already in place. Finally, this article discusses the impact on vendors, due to the lack of a standard for wireless, which will cause them to manufacture equipment which may or may not be compatible with anyone else’s equipment.

  A few issues come to mind through this article. One issue, which seems rather important, is that not only in Europe, but also in the U.S., certain parts of the frequency spectrum pertaining to wireless communications are still unallocated by the FCC. This means that a number of different communications technologies are competing for the same frequency ranges. For instance, wireless networks typically use frequencies around 2.4 GHz. This is the same frequency used by certain wireless telephone systems. Also, the notion about lack of industry standardization comes to mind. One only has to look back at the same thing (lack of a standard) which happened to the modem industry not too long ago. When the 56 Kbps modems became available, they were available in two different "flavors", which meant that if a user had one type of 56 Kbps modem, it could not communicate properly with the other type. 

  For discussion purposes, the following questions would be well suited for helping to keep in mind some important issues as the development of wireless technology unfolds:

1.  What will be the impact of leaving these frequencies unallocated to specific technologies? 

2.  Will there have to be another method for ensuring that communications meant for a particular device is received only by that device, and not another?

3.  What will be the impact of a lack of standardization in manufacturing? 

4.  Will wireless technologies suffer the same effects as the modems did earlier, or will there be a way to prevent that situation and allow for quicker and easier compatibility with wireless devices?