Wi-Fi : How It Works

Wi-Fi is a technology for wireless local area networking that allows electronic devices like the PC, laptop, mobile phone, or tablet to connect at a high speed to the internet without the need for a physical wired connection.

The availability of wireless Internet service has changed both the way that people use the Internet and the devices that they use to get online. 

It has led to the growth and use of tablet computers, smartphones and mobile computing capabilities in MP3 players and other small devices. 

There are many reasons for the use of wireless Internet both at home or the office

Wi-Fi is delivered by three ways and one way is through a dedicated hardware card which fits into a slot on the computer that are provided by mobile service providers to allow users to access the Internet like mobile who make data transmissions or browse the Internet on their phones.

The second way is through a secured network that is controlled by users needing a network key to use as a password.

The third method is through an unsecured public network that are often located in places such as public libraries or commercial establishments.

Wi-fi has many advantages, that make it a popular and a must have with the key benefits and concerns related to wifi.

The advantage for wireless Internet access is that you are not bound to sit at your desk, using a computer that is wired into your modem or router. 

It enables you to use your laptop or Wi-Fi devices anywhere in your home at your convenience, whether you are looking at a recipe on your tablet or reading the news in bed on your smartphone.

Increased efficiency and better data communications lead to faster transfer of information within businesses and between partners and customers where people can remotely check stock levels and prices while on a call.

It enables the user to communicate while on the move as you do not need extra cables or adaptors to access office networks.

Office-based wireless workers can be networked without sitting in front of computers, and can continue to do productive work while away from the office. 

This can lead to new styles of working, such as home working or direct access to corporate data while on customer sites.

Wireless networks can be easier and cheaper to install, especially in listed buildings or where the landlord will not permit the installation of cables.

When using wireless Internet access, your home can support numerous Wi-Fi devices simultaneously, without the need to run wires and cables throughout your home. 

Wi-Fi enabled devices, including MP3 players, tablets and video game systems can all reap the benefits of accessing the Internet wirelessly and a TV can also utilize a wireless Internet connection to stream movies, music and games directly to your TV.

Wireless networking could allow you to offer new products or services as with many airport departure lounges, train stations, hotels, cafes and restaurants that have installed hot spot wireless networking services.

This allows mobile users to connect their equipment to their home offices while traveling with the use of wireless networks.

Wireless transmission is more vulnerable to an attack by unauthorized users, so attention has to be paid to security.

You may get interference if others in the same building also use wireless technology or where other sources of radio signals are present. 

 This could lead to poor level of communication or, in some cases, the loss of wireless communication altogether.

In some buildings getting consistent coverage can be difficult, leading to black spots where no signal is available and in structures built using steel reinforcing materials, you may find it difficult to pick up the radio frequencies used.

Transmission speeds of wireless transmission can be slower and less efficient than wired networks and in larger wireless networks the main network will usually be wired rather than wireless.

While Wi-Fi access can increase the amount of devices connected to your network, this also comes at the disadvantage of your bandwidth usage increasing. 

Bandwidth is the term that refers to the amount of data traffic that is being sent from and received by your home network. 

There is a finite limit to the amount of data that can be sent at one time, which may slow your Internet connection if you have multiple devices drawing a steady connection.

Along with bandwidth, the speed of wireless Internet access has been found to be drastically slower than wired Internet connections on the same network. 

It has been found that wireless Internet connections were slower than the wired Internet connections on the same network.

Security though wireless Internet access increases where you can extend Internet service within your home, as the signal from your wireless router may extend beyond your home. 

Most wireless routers give users the ability to set a network password, failure to utilize this feature could leave your home network open to intrusion from others and your Internet connection open to anyone within range of your broadcast antenna.