WiFi Alliance plays referee

The WiFi Alliance has stepped up in response to a conflict between Atheros and Broadcom, two WiFi chip makers last year over whether Atheros kits slowed down network speed for surrounding products. The Alliance (sounds so gallant doesn't it?) has threatened to remove or withhold WiFi certification for vendor-specific additions to the standard (i.e. Speedbooster from Linksys) that interfere with other certified products. Which makes perfect sense, until one company comes out with an addition that boosts speed twenty times while cutting everyone else off. This type of thing, when applied properly does everyone good, no one's small gains come at the expense of everyone else's loss. Just as long as it isn't used to quash an obviously superior technology down the road.

[Update] Since some confusion has been expressed we want to clarify.  Linksys'
Speedbooster was not challenged by the WiFi Alliance.  Just an example of what could be challenged if it interfered with others.  But it hasn't, so we're all happy.