Enterprise wireless LAN startup Bluesocket Inc. is to play its hand in the 802.11 access point market in an effort to compete for more enterprise business, Unstrung can reveal.

Traditionally a wireless gateway and security player, the company will next week unveil its AP-1500 kit, a dual-radio 802.11 a/b/g product using chipsets from Atheros Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: ATHR). Targeting availability from July, the hardware has a list price of $450.

In addition, Bluesocket plans to tout a "centralized sensor" offering in the same timeframe that will be incorporated into its BlueSecure Intrusion Protection System (IPS) product family. The kit aims to enable users to secure a building’s access points from one central location, rather than from a number of distributed sensors.

“When we get into the fourth quarter, around October, we will also offer customers a sensor that can double as an AP,” says Bluesocket’s marketing VP, David Danielson. “As a company we believe that sensor/AP combinations, as opposed to only offering the market a sensor overlay, is the best way to go.”

Bluesocket has raised a total of $42 million in VC funding (see Bluesocket Gets Greenbacks).

— Justin Springham, Senior Editor, Europe, Unstrung