D-Link / Atheros Go A Little Further With Their WiFi

A few stories down, Mike discussed how increasing the speed of WiFi is more or less pointless to most users who are just sharing 1MB DSL connections. But a problem that many users DO need solved is the limited range of WiFi in large houses or enterprises that are trying to milk every square foot out of one access point. D-Link and Atheros claim to address that problem with a doubling of the range of their G-based WiFi kit by applying a system upgrade. The free firmware update applies to Atheros-based D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G wireless products (AP and cards), and is said to increase the sensitivity of the radio. We are usually skeptical regarding bold claims that don't seem consistent with our understanding of RF science, and the notion that a software upgrade could double the range of one-year old hardware seems a stretch (hardware usually affects range more than software). However, we'll hold our judgment on this one until some unbiased evidence appears to support or deny the claims. No matter what, though, it's hard to argue with any extension in range, especially when the price is nil.

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