Wireless internet requires a sender and receiver, typically set up through a home network with a router. The signal degrades quickly and distance affects reliability. A wireless access card can be used for mobile users, but requires a separate service subscription.
Wireless Internet access depends on two main components, a sender and a receiver, both of which must be present in order to use this type of Internet access. In most cases, this will involve setting up a home network through a wireless router, which not only allows you to receive wireless Internet access, but also allows you to print from a remote location or allow computers to share files and printers remotely. The other method involves using a wireless access card that allows you to connect to a cellular system for Internet service.
In the case of a home network, Internet access will most likely come to your home through a wired connection. From there, it can connect to your router, most likely over an Ethernet connection. After this occurs, the router can send and receive signals over the air, including those needed for wireless Internet access. This router is the central component of a wireless Internet interface. This method is usually referred to as Wi-Fi.
The other major component required for wireless Internet access is a wireless receiver. Many computers, both notebook and desktop, come with wireless cards, but some don’t. This can easily be added using a card with connectivity via the USB port. You can also use the PCMCIA slot, depending on the type of card you purchase. The most important thing when looking at connectivity is simply making sure your computer has the available hardware, or slot, needed to connect.
The main disadvantage of accessing the wireless Internet through a router is that the signal degrades very quickly and the farther you move from the wireless access point, the less reliable the connection will be. Beyond about 300 feet (about 91.5 meters), there’s very little connectivity, if any, especially if there’s some sort of physical barrier between you and the signal source. Therefore, while using this method can be liberating, it can also be restrictive, at least to some extent.
This is one reason why many mobile computer users have opted for the second method, which uses a connectivity card to take advantage of wireless Internet access on a cell phone system. In this case, as long as you get a cellular signal that is compatible with your network, you will have access to the Internet. While this allows for more flexibility, it also means subscribing to a completely different service. In fact, you could subscribe separately to one service for home Internet access and another for dial-up access.
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