QoS on 802.11 Networks

QoS on 802.11 Networks
802.11 networks are potentially capable of delivering QoS comparable to the PSTN. It should be noted
that the Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs) have been losing phone lines to cell phone service
providers at an alarming rate (for the RBOCs) over the last year. In fact, the RBOCs have recorded,
percentage-wise, their first decline in lines in use since the Great Depression. Cell phone service is
admittedly inferior in quality to that of the PSTN. The motivating factor, however, for landline customers to
drop their service from the RBOC is the convenience offered by the cell phone as well as certain price
advantages (free long distance in offpeak hours). The point here is that, ultimately, the QoS of the PSTN
is not an absolute requirement for consumers. Consumers, in the case of cell phones, have traded off
QoS for convenience and price. The PSTN is doomed if it must compete with 802.11 in that 802.11 using
802.11e potentially delivers a comparable QoS in both voice and data services while offering data rates
up to 11 Mbps (compare with most DSL plans at 256 Kbps).