China orders wireless local area networks to use domestic encryption standards

China has ordered computer makers, both at home and overseas, to use its own encryption standard for wireless local area networks, ensuring stronger government control and giving domestic manufacturers a slight respite from some foreign competition.

The new rules, which took effect on Monday, ban the importation and sale of all equipment used in wireless LANs -- so-called Wi-Fi services increasingly used to provide Internet connections in public spaces such as hotels, cafes and airports -- that does not comply with China's new standard.

Products contracted, imported or produced prior to the ban's effective date were given a six-month grace period, according to government notices posted on the Web site of the China Broadband Wireless IP Standard Workteam -- the group responsible for drawing up the new standard.