It’s generally estimated that today; from six to seven million people in the UK have wireless broadband access to the internet. But although many regard it as a ‘must have’ item, few would be able to describe exactly what it is. So, whether you’re with BT Total Broadband, Sky Broadband, Think Broadband or Tiscali Broadband, to name but a few of the many providers competing for your subscriptions; here is a quick guide to ‘Wi-Fi.’
A ‘Wi-Fi enabled’ device such as a laptop, mobile phone, games console, or iPod, for example, can hook up to the internet without cables or wires so long as it’s within range of a wireless network. Mobile phone manufacturers have been quick to capitalise on this technology, establishing numerous ‘wireless hotspots’ across the country, where you can access the internet ‘on the move.’ These vary widely in size, but tend to be concentrated in ‘high traffic’ public areas such as airports, motorway services stations, hotels and large railway stations. As they grow in popularity, though, they’re increasingly popping up in smaller settings, like cafes, public houses and restaurants.
For home PCs, the removal of clutter is in itself a major advantage, no more trailing cables and ‘wire spaghetti.’ If you have a laptop, a wireless connection means you can access the internet from any room in the house, or even from the garden. Not only this, but you can use wireless to connect to your printer or to other computers in the home without a single wire between the devices. Provided you install a Wi-Fi Access Protection key, your connection will be private and secure.