A discussion of the technological issues associated with wireless local area networks (WLANs) as a means of providing cable-free data access, easy upgrading and flexible reconfiguration compared to the extensive multimedia and intensive application support provided by terrestrial and satellite asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) networks. It explores the benefits and the issues related to developing wireless ATM and provides an overview of both WLAN and WATM technologies, as well as their global standards, performance evaluations of the two network options, and the pros and cons of each. Designed to provide a survey of requirements for third-generation wireless networks, the book discusses how WLANs offer flexibility, and simple methods for reconfiguring or expanding networks without much expense or redesign, making upgrades inexpensive and easy. It also depicts how ATM is capable of supporting precise and demanding applications, including today's most intense multimedia functions, and it explores the technical issues related to extending ATM from wireline to wireless environments.