Fears over wireless security are hampering enterprise adoption of Wi-Fi technology, although smaller businesses seem less concerned.

The value of the market share between enterprise and small office/home office customers is roughly equal, but in terms of unit volume small businesses are out-buying enterprises by five to one.

"It has become apparent to us that enterprise markets were avoiding Wi-Fi because of security worries," said Kirk Allchorne, marketing co-chairman for the Wi-Fi Alliance, which represents wireless equipment vendors and service providers.

"We rather naively thought that Wi-Fi adoption would grow automatically. However, it has been smaller businesses that have been driving growth.

"Hopefully our new security standards are addressing the concerns of enterprises, although the economic situation hasn't helped."

To counter this the Alliance is abandoning the outdated Wired Equivalent.

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