FROM: Personal Computer and Communications Association

PERSONAL COMPUTER AND COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION MEETING
TO FOCUS ON NEW INTERNET STANDARDS, WIRELESS NETWORKS

BOULDER CREEK, Calif., April 25 - The Internet Engineering Task Force 
(IETF) and several recently formed Internet trade organizations are  
involved with new standards and activities that will impact wireless 
networks, and the significance and scope of these efforts will be the 
focus of the next meeting of the Personal Computer and Communications 
Association, according to Peter Rysavy, executive director of the 
technology and standards oriented trade group. The meeting will take place 
May 31 at Motorola's Galvin Center in Schaumberg, Illinois.

"The impact of this work is neither well documented nor well understood, 
despite the fact that it extends throughout the wireless environment, from 
devices through infrastructure to customer applications," Rysavy said.   
"At this meeting we will identify IETF efforts that have a bearing on 
wireless networking, areas where IETF work will enhance the deployment of 
new wireless systems and applications. We will also identify associated 
issues and problems and formulate recommendations for dealing with them."

Special presentations at the meeting will include one by Brian Carpenter, 
Chairman Emeritus, Internet Architecture Board and Program Director, 
Internet Standards & Technology, IBM; one by Chris Burke, Chairman of the 
IETF Web Elucidation of Internet Related Developments Working Group and 
Director, Internet and Application Standards at Motorola Personal 
Networking Group; and one by Kevin Wagner, secretary of the WAP-W3C 
Coordination Committee of the WAP Forum. Burke will present an overview of 
IETF work related to wireless networking. Carpenter will present findings 
of a recent IETF workshop; and Wagner, a discussion of the convergence of 
WAP and HTML. Other special presentations may be added.

Among issues to be covered: 

- IETF recommendations for the core Internet protocol, TCP, for better 
operation over wireless will work better on some networks than on others, 
with resulting implications for application performance;

- The IETF is developing recommendations on design of wireless subnets, 
and wireless companies may not be aware of the significance of these 
measures;

- Mobile IP is a core standard for the deployment of CDMA 2000 networks.  
Questions exist related to completion schedule and availability for mobile 
computers;

- With new wireless networks like General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) 
emerging, are there enough IP addresses under IP Version 4 or will IP 
version 6 be required?;

- Quality of service mechanisms for the Internet do not line up cleanly 
with those for wireless networks. Consequences of the mismatch will be 
reviewed..

"Increasingly, wireless networks and the Internet are converging," Rysavy 
said. "It is up to all the players in all of the relevant industry sectors 
to work together to assure that the convergence takes place smoothly. This 
meeting is a major move in that direction."

Founded in 1992, The Portable Computer and Communications Association is a 
non-profit trade association which focuses on the convergence of the two 
industries as well as the Internet. Its charter is to enable, develop and 
promote the adoption of standards for interoperable mobile computing and 
communications. Membership is open to all companies and individuals with 
an interest in these disciplines. For information on PCCA committees, 
standards and membership, contact Gloria Kowalski: tel 541-490-5140; fax 
503-471-0011; or visit the Website.

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