| Wireless Internet is out of the early adopter | | | | or Comcast, will even set the network up for |
| stage and the growth of wireless ISP's is | | | | you. A common tactic is too place the router in |
| currently on the rise in America. The freedom to | | | | the house attic or an apartment closet that is |
| move around the home and office and stay | | | | central to the dwelling. This means broadband |
| connected to the Internet has been sold as a | | | | Internet access to any device in the home with |
| "need" by marketing firms long enough that deep | | | | no cables to run. With laptops becoming a |
| market penetration is now starting to take hold. | | | | common purchase for American families, the |
| It's interesting however how many consumers | | | | Wireless Network has become more important to |
| are confused as to exactly what wireless Internet | | | | the home user than ever before. Now a laptop |
| actually is. The terms Wireless network and | | | | can be used in any room, as well as the |
| wireless Internet are thrown around a lot these | | | | surrounding area such as the backyard with the |
| days, and though they are used interchangeably | | | | same speeds as wired access. Wireless Internet |
| many times there are major differences. Wireless | | | | Access: Wireless Internet requires a wireless card |
| Internet is a service in and of itself, providing the | | | | in your laptop or other device, and a wireless |
| wireless technology and Internet access in a | | | | account. There are several companies, such as |
| combo that allows a user to access the Internet | | | | Boingo and Clearwire, that provide accounts with |
| away from the home and office. This type of | | | | over 100,000 hot spots across the globe. This |
| service is more that a home network and a user | | | | means for one fee you can access the Internet |
| could be at a hot spot such as a coffee shop | | | | anywhere there is an associated wireless hot |
| airport or hotel. A Wireless Network is in general | | | | spot. It is unlikely you will be surfing the web in |
| set up at a singular location such as a home or | | | | the middle of a cornfield in Kansas, but an email |
| office. This network uses Wi-Fi technology to | | | | could be sent with confidence from most airports, |
| send data to an existing Internet connection. Wi-Fi | | | | Starbucks, and bookstores such as Barnes and |
| allows the user to access the Internet anywhere | | | | Noble. Any provider will have a complete list of |
| in or around the given location, but requires a | | | | hot spots, so be sure to look carefully where |
| separate Internet service. Wireless Networks are | | | | access is available. In large metropolitan areas |
| a one time cost, while wireless Internet service is | | | | many times these hot spots overlap each other |
| ongoing. Wi-Fi Networks: A Wireless Network | | | | and access can be had almost anywhere from |
| requires each device to have a wireless | | | | stores to the street. It is in these locations that |
| transceiver, a wireless router, and a broadband | | | | Wireless Internet accounts really shine, and one |
| Internet connection. A wireless router is a | | | | can move about freely almost anywhere. |
| network device that lets users connect multiple | | | | Jon Norwood is a managing partner of the High |
| devices to a single Internet connection without | | | | Speed Internet Access Guide, a site dedicated to |
| the use of cables. In a house with computers in | | | | providing reviews of broadband Internet service |
| multiple rooms a wireless network is very | | | | providers, as well as information on wireless |
| valuable. Many companies, such as Time Warner | | | | Internet access and satellite Internet. |