BY PAUL MALONEY
While the Internet radio industry continues to occupy itself with CARP and the proposed potentially lethal royalty rates for streamed music, the past month did in fact see some significant movement in another area of interest for the radio/Internet nexus: Wi-Fi.

Wi-Fi, more technically known as "802.11b," is a high-speed wireless network technology that (aside from eliminating the need for physical cables) enables data transfer that's even faster than DSL lines. It's quickly becoming a popular network solution in businesses and homes.

According to an Analysys study quoted in Cyberatlas Wireless Markets (here), "more than 21 million Americans will be using public wireless local area networks (WLANs) in 2007, attracted by the cheap and superfast remote Internet access provided in airports, shopping malls, coffee bars and hotels."

Internet radio's tether to the workstation has always been considered the technology's main shortcoming -- especially if it's to hold its own against other media entertainment sources (such as its traditional broadcast ancestor). Being such, those in the Internet radio space have watched with interest as reliability, bandwidth, and the viability of the wireless networking/wireless Internet access technology have increased. And now that Wi-Fi's 300-foot range limit is being overcome by companies looking to build Wi-Fi networks, might Internet radio be closer to finally "cutting the cord?"

San Francisco-based Sputnik, Inc. and New York-based Joltage Networks are two brand new "wireless local area network" (WLAN) access services that will sell Internet access by establishing regional and nationwide networks of Wi-Fi "access points" (APs).

The APs, optimally commercial operations like hotels or cafes where Wi-Fi access doesn't yet exist, agree to be "micro-wireless ISPs" (WISPs) for the larger network. Thus, the wireless network is built, allowing other users with Wi-Fi enabled laptops and PDAs to seamlessly "gateway" from network to network as they roam.

Sky Dayton, founder of EarthLink, launched Boingo Wireless in December. Boingo, unlike the two newer companies, accesses existing wireless ISPs who use Wi-Fi to become part of their national network. Dayton described his company to CNet News.com (here) "as a 'service provider without its own network.'" The company reportedly has agreements with close to 600 different Wi-Fi providers to join the network.

Already, some companies who are players in the Internet radio space are taking steps towards a wireless world. RealNetworks made available this month a mobile version of its RealOne media player optimized for Compaq's Pocket PC device, which will now ship with the software. Operating over the 802.11b wireless connection, PocketPC/RealONE users might someday connect to a Wi-Fi network and enjoy wireless, high-speed delivery of music and video wherever they are.

Some in the radio world aren't too keen on the new technology, however. This month, Sirius Satellite Radio filed a petition with the FCC, asking that wireless device emissions in the 2.4 GHz frequency range (where 802.11b and another wireless technology called Bluetooth operate) be sharply limited. Sirius says the technology has the potential to interfere with the licensed 2.32 to 2.34GHz frequency space, which is used by Sirius and rival XM Satellite Radio. Lawyers say the FCC will likely call for public comment on the petition later in the year (See story in 802.11Planet.com here).

Certainly, where wireless technology will take Internet radio remains to be seen -- and there are more pressing issues at hand. Obviously the laws must be in place to allow this industry to survive, but it's through technology (like wireless) that we'll see real growth and innovation.

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From a press release: "Cox Interactive Media (CIMedia) announced today that it has launched broadband content programming for a new Cox High Speed Internet service operated by Cox Communications, Inc. in 20 U.S. markets...

"Programming includes local and national search, movie and restaurant guides, local weather, classifieds, local and national news, local event calendars, sports and recreation guides, stock updates and other useful content. Special broadband content -- such as movie trailers, music videos and games -- is also available...

"Tom Bates, CIMedia vice president of product and marketing...noted that the launch of broadband programming in 20 markets has had an immediate, significant impact on CIMedia network traffic.

"For example, in existing CIMedia markets, unique visitors increased by more than 100 percent in the week after the sites launched...while daily page views increased by 128 percent. In total, the impact of the new broadband sites led to a 15 percent increase in page views and a 26 percent increase in unique visitors on the CIMedia network in the week following the site launches. Notably, CIMedia visitor frequency has also increased dramatically in Cox High Speed Internet markets...

"CIMedia...is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, Inc. Cox Enterprises is one of the nation's leading media companies with more than 100 TV stations, radio stations, and newspapers in the US"

You can read the entire press release here.

Radio & Records is attributing Sirius's 14% stock jump to a decrease in concerns over the company's financial stability, following two significant announcements from the satellite broadcaster yesterday.

The stock closed up 63 cents, at $5.06 (5.6 million shares traded hands) following announcements that Sirius had renegotiated its financing deal with Lehman Brothers -- and that their nationwide coverage rollout would be complete ahead a schedule.

Ladenburg Thalmann analyst John Stone told R&R the new rollout plan "puts chipset availability and functionality issues to bed once and for all." He also told the news source that by eliminating the need to pay back Lehman this year, the company go the benefits of financing, without the drawbacks. "Unlike a financing round," Stone said, "the renegotiations did not increase outstanding shares."