Nextel plans move into Wi-Fi

Nextel Communications said it plans to move into the Wi-Fi space this quarter. The company declined to give details about its business plan, however, since Nextel is still developing its strategy.

Laurie Hoyt, Nextel’s director of business development, said the company believes that enterprise customers need wireless local area network connection, but many challenges lie ahead for integrating the technology with mobile networks. The challenges range from security to how a customer accesses the network, Hoyt said at the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association I.T. trade show in Las Vegas.

“The connection method must be the same and simple every time a user connects to the company network,” she said. “We believe WAN will happen in a big way inside enterprises … User issues must be addressed.”--Lynnette Luna, senior editor