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Xbox Wireless Adapter MN-740 approved

Xbox Wireless Adapter MN-740 802.11g / 802.11b wireless access point

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved Microsoft's wireless LAN broadband adapter (access point) for the company's Xbox game console. The Aug. 28 ruling paves the way for Microsoft to sell the device in the United States.

The new Wi-Fi adapter will let Xbox owners connect to Microsoft's Xbox Live online service through a wireless broadband network. Xbox owners will also be able to connect similarly equipped Xbox consoles to each other via the System Link setting for head-to-head gameplay.

The Xbox Wireless Adapter MN-740 is a 2.4 GHz, 802.11g/802.11b access point capable of speeds up to 54 Mbps according to supporting documentation and photographs Microsoft submitted to the FCC as part of its regulatory application.

Based on the filed photographs, the unannounced product appears to use the Atheros Communications AR-2112 series 2.4 GHz Radio-on-a-chip, which is part of the Atheros AR5002AP-G wireless chipset suite.

The wireless adapter also supports 128-bit WEP (wireless equivalent privacy) security to prevent unauthorized access to a wireless network.

According to the manual included as part of the FCC filing, Microsoft's new product will include a wireless adapter setup and Xbox Dashboard software update CD, the MN-740 wireless adapter, a power supply cord, an Ethernet cable, a user's guide and a quick start manual.

Specific details about pricing and availability are not publicly available but industry observers speculate that the timing of the initial application and product approval suggest the MN-740 wireless adapter will be on sale in time for the 2003 holiday season.

Microsoft staff were unavailable for comment.

[MN-740 external photographs >>]