Small wireless startups are rushing to take advantage of consumer resentment over big telco broadband policy and lack of broadband coverage.

The fast growing wireless market is good news for consumers. For the first time, mobile computing with fast network access is in sight, without the painfully high pricing levied by mobile phone providers.

But more importantly, wireless provides a real alternative to Telstra's copper loop for the 'last mile'. This is a problem for customers and ISPs alike, both of whom are hampered by Telstra's suffocatingly high pricing for access to bare-bones ADSL services and even bare copper lines through spectrum sharing.

One wireless company, BigAir, is making no secret of the fact that it plans to take on Telstra broadband with its planned 75 base station wireless network.
The service has been in trials since June and a "carrier-grade, fixed wireless service" will start in Sydney's inner west "...by early November as an alternative to Telstra."

Across the industry, wireless networks are starting to challenge the way broadband is used: "mobility" and "roaming", are, for the first time, words starting to become associated with broadband.

In particular, wireless "hot spot" access points are enabling access to home or work networks at convenient locations. One company, Azure Wireless, is building "hot spots" to give people the ability to access their regular ISP via a hot spot. So far the company has already built 50 hot spots, and says it plans to become the dominant wireless infrastructure provider in the country. (ZDNet)

Another wireless provider, Xone is launching what it claims is Australia's largest public wireless network, in North Sydney. (AustralianIT)

The Federal Government is even giving a boost to wireless providers, hinting it may waive the $10,000 carrier licence payment for aspiring wirelss providers, with an aim of stimulating better broadband access for regional areas. (Australian IT)

Meanwhile, the big boys are already eyeing the fast growing wireless market. Optus says it is "looking into it", while Telstra has already bought out a startup wireless provider for $3.3 million, providing wireless coverage in 50 airport lounges and hotels. OzEmail and Vodafone are also teaming up to offer wireless internet access. (ZDNet) But while wireless provides a new "last mile" solution and mobility advantages, it also poses some unique problems ...network security.

The issue of wireless security has already become a mass consumer issue, taking the cover of APC magazine this month. The Age in Melbourne also reports that an Australian Unix User Group technical conference was "war chalked", which obviously doesn't help build confidence in wireless.

But there are answers to wireless security, according to Ross Chiswell, CEO Integrity Data Systems. He explains: "...home users and small business or home office users often leave themselves vulnerable to an attack through a lack of awareness.".