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by mjevans 3317 days ago
It's extremely annoying as some devices /only/ support B. They're quite legacy at this point, but some people still use older Nintendo handhelds that infamously only work on 802.11b with /very/ 'compatibility minded' options.

IMO the entire 2.4ghz public spectrum block should be viewed as for legacy support. However far more spectrum should go to limited range use. (Also, building walls should have filter meshes that absorb frequencies not designed for use with mobile computer to cell towers / GPS).
1 comments
JPLeRouzic 3317 days ago
In theory, that is not necessary, you can transmit information even if the spectrum is completely saturated, by using Wi-Fi backscatter like in: http://passivewifi.cs.washington.edu/

You neighbour's 802.11b will never see that another Wi-fi network piggybacks on him and goes 100 times faster. There is even not the need to use the cumbersome CSMA/CA.

Indeed it is not an existing amendment, but if you are interested I would be happy to help someone to present a few ideas at IEEE 802.11.

link