Date: Friday, March 30, 2007

What is wi-fi?

Wi-fi is short for wireless fidelity, in other words the ability to transmit information through wireless signals. It enables computers to connect to the Internet without any cables, provided they have the correct equipment installed and a suitable subscription to a wireless services provider such as Skype, The Cloud, BT Openzone, Nintendo Wi-Fi or T-Mobile.

Most new laptops and PCs come with built-in wireless capability, but wireless cards can also be inserted into laptops or PCs that don?t have them already built-in.

The signals, similar to radio waves, are broadcast from transmitters known as ?hotspots? which can be placed anywhere. Many public places such as libraries, hotels, airport departure lounges, cafes and pubs have wi-fi hotspots to allow their customers to get on the web.

It?s cheap and easy to install and convenient for connecting to the Internet anywhere within reach of the network?s broadcast signal. Despite this, it?s often expensive to connect in public places such as cafes and hotels, where it can cost up to ?10 or sometimes more for just an hour?s surfing. However, some local authorities have plans to make wireless networks freely available across entire city centres so that people can connect any time, any place, without being charged.

The technology is still in its infancy and it remains to be seen how it will develop, although as with most technologies it will inevitably become cheaper as it becomes more established and widely used.