2001: A look at the technology future.(Industry Trend or Event)

Despite an apparently slowing economy, technology development will continue its rapid pace. E-commerce, wireless, hosting and ASPs, security, and privacy will remain touch points for the coming year. InfoWorld editors polled our sources to forecast the top technology and e-business trends.

Enterprises get connected

High on the enterprise to-do list will be improving links with customers and business partners. Next year will see more focused business-to-business initiatives, from tightly coupled supplier communities to full-blown trading exchanges. Expanded e-commerce efforts will blur the lines between b-to-b and business-to-consumer e- commerce.

Wireless becomes ubiquitous

Ubiquitous broadband wireless access will not be a reality next year, but it will come a step closer. AT&T Wireless has been quietly buying up the 1900MHz PCS (Personal Communications Services) broadband spectrum and will be able to offer almost nationwide coverage in early 2002. "At this point we believe we have sufficient spectrum in virtually all our markets to begin our 3G [third generation] network launch," said Jim Grams, vice president of technology development at AT&T Wireless. As all handhelds get built-in wireless capabilities …