As the Wi-Fi Alliance ramps up certification for wireless network equipment operating on not-quite-standard 802.11n protocol, Gartner Inc. suggests businesses should wait. The Stamford CT IT analysis house said in a research note that pre-standard .11n gear might lack advanced access methods and higher speeds. The Wi-Fi Alliance, which tests wireless devices for interoperability, announced a certification program for .11n equipment built to the draft-standard specifications. The protocol promises higher data rates than .11b, .11g and .11a, but battling factions at the IEEE have hindered the standard-approval process. Ratification of the .11n standard isn't expected until mid-2008 at the earliest.

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