The IEEE has started planning to define a standard for gigabit WiFi, a generic term for wireless data services that operate at speeds up to 120 MBps. Its Very High Throughput group is looking into the technical limitations to face, specifically the choice of frequency band. One proposal is to use both 60Ghz and 6Ghz parts of the spectrum, with 60Ghz providing a high-speed link over short distances, and the 6Ghz band providing connections to access points and allowing for compatibility with existing 5Ghz 802.11a/n networks. Though the 60Ghz band has more bandwidth available, the nature of transmissions at that wavelength doesn't let them easily pass through walls or other objects, limiting its use. VHT members are hoping to extract the needed speed out of the 6Ghz band by developing new modulation and antenna technologies, parallelizing access and allowing devices to share bandwidth. This technology is several years down the road, with one proposal putting a 2012-2013 date on the finished standard.

[Via Slashdot]