Industry news

Common data exchange to lead wireless, says expert

Wireless' biggest advancement will be a method of common data exchange, one expert has said.

Thinkbroadband.com has revealed that the industry's biggest breakthrough will come when a method that allows devices from different manufacturers to share information and control each other.

Andrew Ferguson, the websites editor, said: "Wireless USB is perhaps the closest thing to a sci-fi, totally connected home at present."

However he warned that as energy costs are going up and people are installing foil-backed insulation, it is becoming more difficult for wireless devices to communicate.

Mr Ferguson added that as energy efficiency becomes more of a priority, people are likely to become more reluctant to add more "always-on electrical devices to the home".

An Ofcom report found that broadband penetration in the UK has soared over the last six years from seven per cent in 2002 to 57 per cent in the last three months of 2007.

It added that consumers benefited from the choice that the industry was delivering and most appeared relatively happy with the headline broadband speeds.