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Connecting to the Internet on a Roll

"Wireless Fidelity" or "Wi-Fi" was coined in 1999 and used to describe an international effort to standardize and certify the interoperability of wireless Local Area Network products based on the IEEE 802.11 radio frequency specification. Currently there are versions of this Wi-Fi specification ranging from "a" to "g" available to general consumers. 802.11(g)-equipped handheld devices are currently breaking all previous records for sales of new electronic products. In addition, beta versions of this radio specification are being developed up through "k".

In the simplest terms, Wi-Fi is radio technology that enables connections from a electronic device (like a laptop) to a broadband (wired) Internet connection point. These connection points are often referred to as "HotSpots, Gateways, or Access Points." The Wi-Fi Alliance maintains a free directory service for locating Hotspots throughout the world. Generally, Wi-Fi can enable connections within 500 feet of a Hotspot. By using antennas and repeaters, this access are can be extended up to two miles from a gateway. The thing to remember when companies quote "range" is to recall that this service is radio-based, so, just as you will start hearing static on your car radio when you get too far away from a station, the connection speed for a Wi-Fi enabled device will gradually degrade as you move away from a connection point. Virtually all of the carriers are incorporating Wi-Fi into their service offerings (although it may not be identified as "Wi-Fi" -- a variety of proprietary names are used)... [More]