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What Is Wireless Internet?

Wireless 101

What is wireless internet and do you need it? Great questions! In this article I will explain what wireless internet is and I will give a non-technical explanation of how it works.

We'll then explore the all important question, do you need it? Finally, we'll move forward to getting started setting up wireless internet in your home if you should decide this is for you.



What is wireless internet? Basically wireless internet is just like it sounds, internet without all the wires. You can now connect to the internet without wires at home and in thousands of public places around the world, many of them free.

What Is Wireless InternetWhat Is Wireless Internet?

Wireless internet is the same internet you get with a cord connected to your desktop computer. No difference. With a wireless network at home - from any room or even outside - you can do everything you can do with a laptop or desktop computer connected with a cable...
  • access the internet
  • send and receive email
  • chat
  • print wirelessly from your computer
  • share a printer with other computers in your house
  • share music, pictures, videos, and files
  • listen to music online
  • watch videos online
  • play online games
It used to be that you were stuck in a specific room or area of the house at a desktop computer. Now with wireless internet and a laptop you can use your computer and the internet from any room in the house, and very often outside too!

So, what is wireless internet? Wireless internet is freedom!

How Does Wireless Internet Work?
A very non-technical explanation - what is wireless internet and how does it work

Think of how music is broadcast to your radio. You don't need a ton of wires many miles long connecting you to the many radio stations around the world. You simply turn on your radio and choose whatever station you want to hear.

Using the antenna (internal or external) you receive the signal from the station. The music plays on your radio without wires. Wireless internet is sort of like that.

...at home
What is wireless internet at home

The internet usually comes into your house through a phone line shared with your home phone service, a cable shared with your cable television service, or a satellite signal sometimes also shared with television service.

Typical Wireless Network
A typical home wireless network
That usually gets plugged into a modem. A modem is kind of like a translator that understands the electronic signals to and from the internet source and your computer.

A wireless router gets plugged into the modem to send the signal without wires to your computer's internal wireless antenna or a plug in external wireless card. You no longer need the cord from the modem to your computer because the signal is sent to your computers wirelessly.

Don't worry if you don't understand what a wireless router and modem is. You don't need to understand all the technical aspects to appreciate and use wireless internet. Here are some recommended articles if you really need a technical explanation of a modem or a router. This will open in a new window.

...on the road
What is wireless internet on the road

Wireless internet on the road allows you to access the internet in thousands of places around the world without wires. Using your laptop (or smart phone) you can go online in coffee shops, hotels, airports, restaurants, public libraries, and more.

It works much like wireless at home only a business provides the wireless signal. All you need is the ability to receive the signal using an internal antenna already in your computer, or an external plug in card on your computer. I will explain it all below.



What Is Wireless Internet, and Do You Need It?

If you are a casual user who doesn't go online much you probably don't need wireless internet. Its probably not too much hassle to spend a half hour at a desk checking email once a week.

However, there are some valid reasons why you might want wireless internet. What is wireless internet to me? Here are some ideas on how I use wireless internet and why you might want to explore this option:

Like most people, I use my computer to send and receive emails, share pictures with family and friends, and learn about places I hope to visit some day.

I work from home spending several hours a day working on my websites, writing, uploading pages, and doing research.

When it's warm outside I can work outside while enjoying a cigar (can't smoke in the house)

I sometimes go to the library to work and I can access the internet wirelessly.

I enjoy coffee and can be found online in my favorite coffee shop. I am editing this page in a coffee shop.

I love to travel and sometimes take my laptop to access the internet through the hotel's wireless service and using airport wifi

I love to watch hockey or football with my laptop ready to look up relevant stats on my team.

I sometimes unwind sitting on the couch playing online games or interacting with family and friends on social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

There are many reasons why wireless internet might be right for you. Think of how you use your computer and ask yourself if it would benefit you to be able to do what you do from different areas around your house or even in public places.

Getting Started:

Here is what you'll need to get started using a wireless network at home and on the road:
  • How Does Wireless Internet Work
    Here is a non-technical explanation of how wireless works and how you can go wireless now.

  • Wireless Internet Information
    A glossary of common wireless internet terms and abbreviations

  • Wireless Internet Providers
    First, find out if wireless internet service is available in your area. In this section I will give you tips and advice on what you really need (just the basics) and tell you what all those extra bells and whistles are all about.

  • Wireless Internet Security
    Follow these basics to keep your home network safe and your wireless laptop secure when accessing the internet in public

  • Wireless Internet Router
    Once you have service coming into your home you need to broadcast the signal wirelessly to your computer. Which router is the right one? Here's how to tell.


  • Home Wireless Internet
    Not ready to tackle this on your own? Hire someone to come to your home and set up your wireless network for you.

Of course, you need a wireless-ready computer. Most newer computers will come with wireless capabilities built in. This is how to find out if your computer is wireless ready, and if not, here is what you need to make it work.

  • Wireless Internet for Laptop
    Is your laptop wireless-ready? Find out how to use your laptop wirelessly at home and on the road

  • Wireless Internet Computer
    Check this page to set up your desktop computer at home on a wireless network.

Not ready for wireless? A wireless internet card or wireless internet adapter can give you a fast, safe wireless connection. On the go, a USB Modem is the key to fast wireless on your terms.






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