NEC today announced the availability of the uPD720170, the first host controller based on the Wireless USB technology. Wireless USB, which supports data transfer rates up to 480 Mbps within a range of 3 metres is touted to be the technology that will replace bluetooth in the future. It offers comparatively high data transfer rates that enables swift file exchanges between mobile devices. The uPD720170c can connect to a maximum of 32 devices and offers eight different data transfer rates (53.3 Mbps at the low end and 480 Mbps at the higher end).

The uPD720170c is available for demo at CES. A single host controller costs $20 and the prices are expected to come down when volume production begins in Q2, 2006. More details about wireless USB devices from NEC are available at http://www.necel.com/usb/en/wusb/index.html