Wireless internet access

Wireless internet access involves using radio waves through the air to transmit internet data to and from computers.

Originally wireless was thought of as a way to connect mobile phone and laptop computers to the internet using wireless hotspots. However, it has also become a way for people who cannot receive ADSL or cable services to receive broadband internet access.

There are several different technologies now used for wireless internet access.

Wi-Fi hotspots

Wi-Fi is a technology specifically designed for allowing laptops and other mobile devices to connect to the internet from set locations. With a reasonably short range, Wi-Fi hotspots are usually set up at coffee shops, airline lounges and similar venues.

Wi-Fi can also be used in homes and offices to create wireless networks at the end of a cable or ADSL broadband connection. This removes the need to run additional wires and allows people to take laptops from room to room and remain connected.

There are security risks involved with home wireless networks as people outside, but near a house, may be able to use the internet connection or access computers on the network.

Wireless data services

Mobile phone technologies such as GPRS and CDMA can also be used to deliver mobile internet access.

In Australia, several telecommunications companies now provide wireless internet access for mobile phones using 3G mobile phone technology, and have extended this to access for laptops using special mobile wireless modem cards.

These cards fit into the expansion slots of a laptop computer and act as a wireless modem that connects to a mobile phone network, to provide internet access.

Generally, these services are more expensive and slower than some of the alternatives now entering the market. In many cases internet speeds are limited to 384kbps.

Wireless networks

There is also a range of technologies that can be used to provide wireless access across large areas using different parts of the radio spectrum. These can deliver very fast broadband, with some wireless services in Australia already delivering speeds up to 6Mbps.

One of the emerging technologies in this area is WiMAX, standing for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. WiMAX is similar to Wi-Fi in concept but is designed to be used over much greater distances, up to around eight kilometres depending on the connection speed and power used.