Updates to Boost Public Wi-Fi

Wireless Provisioning Services (WPS), which will be delivered in free updates to Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, will provide a more secure and consistent way for users to access wireless LANs based on the 802.11 (or Wi-Fi) family of protocols. Microsoft hopes the improvements will help build interest in public wireless LANs, particularly among IT departments that want to give employees remote wireless access to internal resources, but have been concerned about security, as well as the complexity associated with using multiple service providers. WPS could also encourage more businesses to give guests Internet access via corporate wireless LANs.

Wider Wi-Fi adoption could help sales of Windows-based portable devices, many of which are being shipped with Wi-Fi capabilities, and give service providers and businesses another reason to consider Windows 2003. However, WPS will not support Windows 98 or 2000 laptops, and Wi-Fi service providers may not want to make the necessary infrastructure changes to implement it.