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Wi-Fi Alliance - technical definition

Previously the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WECA). A special interest group comprising manufacturers and vendors that work to develop specifications for and promote the worldwide adoption of products based on the IEEE 802.11 standards for wireless local area networks (WLANs). See Appendix A for contact information. See also 802.11, IEEE, and WLAN.

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(Wi-Fi Alliance, Austin, TX, www.wi-fi.org) A membership organization founded in 1999 devoted to certifying 802.11 wireless Ethernet devices for interoperability. The Wi-Fi CERTIFIED logo on a wireless radio (PC card, access point, etc.) means that it has passed a thorough interoperability test and will work with any other Wi-Fi CERTIFIED product. A Wi-Fi ZONE logo means that a hotspot, whether offered at no charge or for a fee, uses Wi-Fi CERTIFIED equipment.

Originally founded as the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Association (WECA), Wi-Fi stands for "wireless fidelity," a play on "high fidelity" (hi-fi). See 802.11, WiMAX, hotspot and WLIF.

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