Networks news in brief

Wireless group aims to speed things up

The Enhanced Wireless Consortium has published its draft specification, designed to offer higher-speed wireless local area networks. The consortium supports the IEEE 802.11n standard, which is the subject of fierce negotiations between leading suppliers. The EWC has the support of companies including Intel, Cisco, Broadcom and Atheros.

Phone companies push to beat the blackspots

Ericsson and Nokia are encouraging operators to adopt the 450MHz band for their mobile networks to provide cost-effective mobile connectivity in reception blackspots, such as rural areas. The band was previously used to support analog cell phones, but most operators have now adopted digital technology and currently use the 900MHz, 1,800MHz and 1,900MHz bands to deliver a service. The use of the 450MHz band requires fewer base stations having to be built to reach users, meaning operators can set up services more cheaply.

TippingPoint offers phishing block

3Com-owned TippingPoint, which specialises in intrusion prevention, has released the TippingPoint Intrusion Prevention System - a network-based system that can block phishing attempts and guard against identity theft. The TippingPoint Intrusion Prevention System uses a variety of mechanisms to detect and prevent phishing scams including vulnerability, pattern-matching and behaviour-based protection.

Conference service for smaller businesses

Ring2 Communications has introduced a calling and conference service designed for smaller businesses. Users are provided with downloadablePC client software that lets them make calls via their PC. Up to 30 people can connect to a conference simultaneously, the company said. Ad hoc conference calls are charged at 1.9p per minute.