Wi-Fi, short for “wireless fidelity” was a novelty a few years ago but is now present in about 40% of homes with broadband access. Simply put Wi-Fi is a wireless connection to the internet, if you have a DSL or cable connection then you can have a wireless connection. This connection can be in your home, place of business, airport or your local coffee house. Why the need to be wireless you ask? The ability to connect to the internet without the hassle of crawling under desk, looking for an available port to connect an Ethernet cable is one of many good reasons. Mobility is another major factor; imagine taking your laptop out on your deck to work and surf. If you are in an office and need a quiet place to work maybe moving to an empty conference room will give you some privacy. It allows you to have an internet connection in any room of your house or office without needing a cable to connect your pc/laptop.

How is it done?

Here is what’s needed to going wireless - a pc/laptop of course. Most laptops that are sold today come equipped with mobile technology; look for the “Intel inside/Centrino” label that will inform you the laptop is Wi-Fi ready. If you have a pc/laptop without an internal card you can purchase a wireless card to make it wireless ready. Make sure to speak with a knowledgeable representative if you are unsure about what you need to get started, it’s really that simple. A high speed connection is needed.  A wireless router connects to your DSL or cable line. As far as cost, I have seen wireless packages with card and router for less than $100.00 at local retail and electronic stores. Last year, home users bought 6.8 million Wi-Fi devices. One very important point to make is the wireless router comes with security options to make sure your wireless connection is secure. As convenient as Wi-Fi access can be security options are available and necessary.

Benefits of Wi-Fi at home and the office

Wi-Fi in the home makes it easy as well as practical to share a cable or DSL line among two or more PC’s. Need to find a quiet place to work? just pick up your laptop and move anywhere in the house or out on your deck. Wi-Fi gives you another option other than running cable through your home or office which can be costly and cumbersome. Another upcoming advantage of Wi-Fi is entertainment systems will have digital media receivers where you can stream music, video and TiVo through wireless connectivity to any room in your house or office (even your bathroom!)

Hot Spots

Here’s another term to become familiar with in regards to Wi-Fi. Hot spots are zones in public places that have wireless access available for a fee and sometimes free of charge. Places like airports, office complexes, popular hangouts like Starbucks, and other public service facilities.  In California there are McDonald’s that offer wireless hot spots, I think it is called McWireless (just kidding). T-Mobile has led the way in offering hot spots in a number of locations around town and many other telecommunications companies are following suit.

What’s to come?

The need for speed will always be on the top of the list of enhancements and wireless access will no doubt be in the mix.  Each day more and more wireless access points will become available. There are some cities such as Philadelphia that have initiatives in making the whole city wireless. Certain areas will have fixed wireless points in urban and remote areas that cover a much larger region. Wireless mesh networks will sprout up in the same manner as cellular towers working as receivers and repeaters.  Wi-Max, the next generation of Wi-Fi, will connect you to the Internet at faster speeds and from much longer ranges than current wireless technology allows. Imagine a 10 mile plus range of wireless access. So when it comes to Wi-Fi the question should be Wi-Not?