How Wi-Fi works

WiFi stands for Wireless Fidelity, which was originally intended for wireless devices, and Local Area Networks or LAN?s. But now, it is popularly used to access the Internet. It facilitates a person or a network in an office environment with a wireless-enabled computer or a PDA to connect to the Internet when in proximity of an access point, generally called a ?Hotspot?. WiFi basically operates through signals that can be captured through antennas from these hotspots. There are various types of antennas for various uses. Some approved products are permitted to use the WiFi logo, indicating that the product is interoperable with other products displaying the same logo.

Quite a number of people argue that WiFi and other related consumer technologies will ultimately replace cellular telephone networks like GSM while the other camp puts up a question mark on the problems of roaming, authentication and the limited range of WiFi. Security is also a big issue with WiFi and this is still a concern for many. However, in spite of such problems, several companies are offering telephony platforms that use WiFi.

The main difference between cellular and WiFi is that, while the cellular system use licensed spectrum, WiFi is implemented in unlicensed bands. The economic basis for their implementation is therefore completely different. However the success of WiFi has made many people look to this unlicensed spectrum as the future of wireless access, rather than the licensed and controlled by large corporations.

Commercial WiFi services are available in places such as Internet cafes, coffee houses, conference rooms and airports, although coverage is erratic in comparison to cellular. T--Mobile provides hotspots in several Starbucks in the US, Pacific Century Cyber Works provides hotspots in Hong Kong (Pacific Coffee Shops) and a Columbia Rural Electric Association subsidiary offers 2.4 GHz WiFi service across a 9500km2 area within Walla Walla and Columbia counties in Washington and Umatilla county in Oregon.