Lucent develops mobile Wi-Fi

Lucent Technologies will develop a product that would provide users with wireless internet access on trains, buses and cars.

Lucent is working with In Motion Technology in Vancouver and Top Global in Beijing to develop a product that links third-generation mobile networks and Wi-Fi technologies, said Lucent spokesman Ichiro Kawasaki. 

Called Wi-Fi on the Move, the product would augment Lucent's evolution data optimised (EV-DO) 3G wireless technology, which provides high-speed capabilities of about 300Kbps to 500Kbps. 

Kawasaki said the product would use EV-DO networks to provide backhaul for Wi-Fi access points. 

Lucent has received $525m from Verizon Wireless to deploy its EV-DO network in major cities in the US. 

"The idea behind Wi-Fi on the Move is to take advantage of the large base of Wi-Fi devices out there and provide them with Wi-Fi access where they might not otherwise have it, like on trains and buses, where it might be difficult to run a DSL or cable connection to provide the Wi-Fi access," Kawasaki said. 

"So anywhere your mobile phone would work, this technology would work as well," he added.

Linda Rosencrance writes for Computerworld