Second generation Wi-Fi comes to Hanscom Published Sept. 8, 2011 By Warren Russo Contributing writer HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- The new wireless local area network (LAN) now being installed at Hanscom is expected to usher in a state of the art network capability, according to 66th Air Base Group's Communications and Information Division (SC) Deputy Director Will Ross. "Our first-generation wireless LAN was shut down for performance issues because it failed to meet Air Force requirements," said Mr. Ross. "Hanscom's new 2GWLAN (second generation wireless LAN) will offer performance levels up to 300 megabits per second." Range of the new Wi-Fi system will be intentionally limited due to security concerns, and there will be no outdoor web surfing. Only government-issued laptops will be able to access the wireless system for remote computing, which is designed to accommodate laptop users in the base's many conference rooms, as well as in the supply warehouses and at the base clinic. Any valid government-issued wireless device with security software will be able to access the new system. Once the new Wi-Fi system is in place, networking will be easier, and meetings that grow too large for an office, for example, can readily move to a conference room. Meeting participants can simply carry their laptops from one space to another and then continue to work on the network via Wi-Fi. Source selection for the Air Force-wide operations and cyber-network Wi-Fi initiative was performed by the Electronic Systems Center's own Cyber/Integration Division in the Cyber/Netcentric Directorate, which is also managing the installations. Hanscom's Wi-Fi system is expected to be operational in October.