Wi-Fi Alliance Extensions Policy Makes Certification Program More Robust

The Wi-Fi Alliance recently announced a new policy designed to ensure additional interoperability protection for Wi-Fi CERTIFIED products with proprietary extensions (e.g., vendor-specific high speed options). The goal of the policy, which goes into effect on July 19th, is to allow for product innovation while assuring that all Wi-Fi CERTIFIED products consistently meet consumer expectations about quality and performance.

Wi-Fi technology continues to evolve, and some companies have added features or "extensions" to their products that go beyond the IEEE 802.11 standard and Wi-Fi certification requirements. Typically, these "extensions" are designed to offer additional speed or security. The extensions policy is designed to address situations where one of these product enhancements adversely affects the performance of another Wi-Fi CERTIFIED product.

"Products are eligible to become Wi-Fi CERTIFIED provided they can pass the standard test suite and any extensions do not impair the ability of other CERTIFIED products to operate as intended," said Wi-Fi Alliance Managing Director, Frank Hanzlik. "If a product extension significantly impacts the ability of other Wi-Fi CERTIFIED equipment to operate as intended, the Alliance may withhold or revoke certification. We have taken this important step due to the Wi-Fi Alliance's continued commitment to a positive consumer experience," Hanzlik added.