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CommunicAsia2000: Bluetooth and wireless LAN hold sway
by Elaine Ng, exclusive to ZDNetAsia SINGAPORE, 13 June 2000 -- Visitors to CommunicAsia2000 were not only able to network and do business with keyindustry players over the four-day event but were also treated to specialist conferences on mobile communications,networking, e-business, satellite communications and broadcasting technologies.Pioneering work in eGovernment -- a S$1.
by Elaine Ng, exclusive to ZDNetAsia
SINGAPORE, 13 June 2000 -- Visitors to CommunicAsia2000 were not only able to network and do business with key
industry players over the four-day event but were also treated to specialist conferences on mobile communications,
networking, e-business, satellite communications and broadcasting technologies.
Pioneering work in eGovernment -- a S$1.5 billion eGovernment Action Plan was unveiled by Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Tony Tan. It is expect to help boost Singapore's digital economy.
CommunicAsia attracted more than 46,000 visitors, an increase of 40 per cent over its last showing, of which about one-third were foreign visitors.
Several key issues and trends emerged from the high-power summits and conferences that followed at MobileCommAsia2000, NetworkAsia2000 and eBiz2000.
Bluetooth or wireless LAN, maybe both
The issue between Bluetooth and wireless LAN technology were one of the hottest topics of discussion, not only at the summits and conferences, but also from exhibitors themselves.
"From the second half of this year, bluetooth will be available in Asian countries," said Mr. Nobuhiko Ito, Assistant Manager of Wireless Applications Microelectronics, from Lucent Technologies.
Although both forms of technology thrive on their wireless applications, industry experts feel that both bluetooth and wireless LAN will not drive each other out of the market. "We believe that wireless LAN and bluetooth can co-exist and complement each other," said Mr. Ito
"Wireless LAN is for high-end applications, like PC networks … bluetooth targets mobile phones and digital (devices) which are battery driven and are smaller, and with lower power solutions that are not possible for LAN," he added.
"Wireless LAN pick-up will be well because mobility is key today in the office," said Mr. Terry Wong. "Wireless gives a higher level of flexibility although some people might want wired connections still. Both wired and wireless will co-exist," he added.
Despite all the hype techies have highlighted a key problem, that is both technologies would clash as they operate on the same 2.4Ghz spectrum. Then there is the technical issue of having both technologies on the same device. It remains to be seen if a solution could be found in the near future.
Everything digital
On the broadcast front, trends are pointing towards digital telecommunication. "New equipment goes directly to digital. It's not a question anymore. There is no way to continue with analog because if it's digital, you can transmit everything - not just visuals," said Mr. Jean-Marc d'Anjou, Vice-president of R&D from Miranda Technologies.
"But digital does not definitely mean better quality because if there are more channels, the quality will decrease. The question is what are people willing to pay for," he pointed.
Indeed, the developments in the broadcast and IT industries are worth anticipating.
Plans for CommunicAsia2001
Market leaders who have put in "Early Bird" bookings for next year's event are already talking about increasing stand space and returning with a much larger presence.
Organizers are planning to host more exhibitors for the event in future as opportunities for growth are optimistic.
To accommodate more companies as well as the anticipated growth of existing exhibitors the organizer is planning to build air-conditioned tents on the adjoining plot of land.
Also, by next year, the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system will be ready and will help a great deal," said Mr. Stephen Tan, Managing Director of organizer, Singapore Exhibition Services.
CommunicAsia with MobileCommAsia, NetworkAsia, eBiz, CableSat and BroadcastAsia will be held again at the Singapore Expo from 19 to 22 June 2001.
Pioneering work in eGovernment -- a S$1.5 billion eGovernment Action Plan was unveiled by Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Tony Tan. It is expect to help boost Singapore's digital economy.
CommunicAsia attracted more than 46,000 visitors, an increase of 40 per cent over its last showing, of which about one-third were foreign visitors.
Several key issues and trends emerged from the high-power summits and conferences that followed at MobileCommAsia2000, NetworkAsia2000 and eBiz2000.
Bluetooth or wireless LAN, maybe both
The issue between Bluetooth and wireless LAN technology were one of the hottest topics of discussion, not only at the summits and conferences, but also from exhibitors themselves.
"From the second half of this year, bluetooth will be available in Asian countries," said Mr. Nobuhiko Ito, Assistant Manager of Wireless Applications Microelectronics, from Lucent Technologies.
Although both forms of technology thrive on their wireless applications, industry experts feel that both bluetooth and wireless LAN will not drive each other out of the market. "We believe that wireless LAN and bluetooth can co-exist and complement each other," said Mr. Ito
"Wireless LAN is for high-end applications, like PC networks … bluetooth targets mobile phones and digital (devices) which are battery driven and are smaller, and with lower power solutions that are not possible for LAN," he added.
"Bluetooth and wireless LAN are targeted differently. If the connection makes sense to be done in bluetooth, it will be done in bluetooth."
- Mr. Terry Wong
Marketing Manager
3Com South Asia
"Wireless LAN pick-up will be well because mobility is key today in the office," said Mr. Terry Wong. "Wireless gives a higher level of flexibility although some people might want wired connections still. Both wired and wireless will co-exist," he added.
Despite all the hype techies have highlighted a key problem, that is both technologies would clash as they operate on the same 2.4Ghz spectrum. Then there is the technical issue of having both technologies on the same device. It remains to be seen if a solution could be found in the near future.
Everything digital
On the broadcast front, trends are pointing towards digital telecommunication. "New equipment goes directly to digital. It's not a question anymore. There is no way to continue with analog because if it's digital, you can transmit everything - not just visuals," said Mr. Jean-Marc d'Anjou, Vice-president of R&D from Miranda Technologies.
"But digital does not definitely mean better quality because if there are more channels, the quality will decrease. The question is what are people willing to pay for," he pointed.
Indeed, the developments in the broadcast and IT industries are worth anticipating.
Plans for CommunicAsia2001
Market leaders who have put in "Early Bird" bookings for next year's event are already talking about increasing stand space and returning with a much larger presence.
Organizers are planning to host more exhibitors for the event in future as opportunities for growth are optimistic.
To accommodate more companies as well as the anticipated growth of existing exhibitors the organizer is planning to build air-conditioned tents on the adjoining plot of land.
Also, by next year, the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system will be ready and will help a great deal," said Mr. Stephen Tan, Managing Director of organizer, Singapore Exhibition Services.
CommunicAsia with MobileCommAsia, NetworkAsia, eBiz, CableSat and BroadcastAsia will be held again at the Singapore Expo from 19 to 22 June 2001.