802.11 is a set of standards that were first ratified 10 years ago, with the introduction of 802.11a and 802.11b said Mark Tauschek, lead analyst at London, Ont.-based Info-Tech. These standards were designed to facilitate wireless local area network (WLAN) computer communication.

Several years later, 802.11g was introduced to provide users with higher throughput, which meant faster wireless networking speeds, he explained.

Just last month, IEEE, the global non-profit professional organization that oversees the advancement of technology relating to electricity, approved an amendment to ratify 802.11n. Tauschek said with n, users get LAN-like speeds over a wireless network. N also provides users with more extensive coverage and range of at least 50 per cent more than its wireless networking standard predecessors.

What the new wireless networking standard means for channel partners, is they'll have an increased opportunity to help customers upgrade from their existing wireless LAN environments, Tauschek said.

"In a lot of cases, those existing (business wireless) environments are at least five years old," he said. "Partners can go in and advise their customers that their equipment is ready for an upgrade and 802.11n would give them better coverage, capacity and throughput."