WiFi ServiceWorld Wide Web World WideWiFi Service is your ticket to accessing the internet anywhere you are on the go. Most locations are offering free public wireless internet to customers and visitors, while others charge a small fee to cover the cost of maintaining the system and equipment. Very often if you have wireless internet in your home your provider will also offer you access to their list of wifi hotspots around the world.  My research has found that the definition of wifi is debatable. Some people use the term wifi to mean "wireless fidelity" but WiFi is actually a trademarked name for a wireless radio technology based on IEEE 802.11 standards.What this means is... not much to me. I actually don't care to read and learn the technical aspects of wifi. I want to just turn on my computer and have wifi service work. However, if you are so inclined to sit and read the technical version go here. WiFi is Everywhere As a general rule, using standard equipment you can expect a wifi service signal to have a range of about 120 ft (32m) indoors and 200 ft (95m) outdoors. The newest wifi standards have a range that can be as much as double that! That means you don't have to be as close to the signal source, and that means freedom to get online in more locations that have free wi fi hot spots.  WiFi service is just about everywhere, and even in some unexpected places... coffee shops, airports, hotels, restaurants (fast food and full service), public libraries, college & university campuses, camp grounds, book stores, public areas like downtowns and parks, and even in rest areas off the highway.There are thousands of public wifi hotspots around the world and the number is constantly changing so it's hard to put an exact number on how many there are. I personally use free public wireless internet on a regular basis. Usually around 3 days each week I'm in public places where I access the internet. I'm working on this page at a public library using their free wireless access. I have also used free wi fi hotspots in hotels and airports while traveling, both in America and in other countries. If you have high speed internet at home there is a chance you also have access to that provider's wifi network (if they have one) when you are on the go. I am an AT&T internet subscriber which also gives me access to thousands of AT&T wifi locations worldwide. For more information on AT&T and other wifi providers visit the WiFi Providers page.
WiFi is Safe It is estimated that less than 10% of the people who can use wifi service have ever accessed it in public. Why such a low number? My thought is that when wifi first came out there were stories about security issues and the difficulty of getting connected. However, today's technology makes wifi access much safer and easier than ever. It's easy to think someone is just waiting for you to connect so they can steal your information, but the reality is, that it is unlikely to happen. If you keep any kind of sensitive information on your computer, credit card numbers, account numbers, social security numbers, passwords, etc, you should (must) take some basic steps to secure your information. The Wireless Internet Security page will help you lock down your information so you can surf safe no matter where you are, wireless or not. WiFi is Easy  If you can follow some simple directions, and I know you can, you can access wifi service. Three steps is all it takes:1 - Find an available network If you know you are in an access location, finding a signal is usually as easy as turning on your computer and checking for available networks. A better idea is to use a handheld wifi signal finder so you don't have to turn on your computer. 2 - Connect to the network Once you find a network you simply connect. 3 - Open a browser window (Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc) Sometimes you will first encounter a splash page when you first open your browser. This is where some places want you to agree to the terms of use. This is often as simple as a checkbox to signify you agree to the terms and pressing enter. Sometimes you will also be asked to enter an email address. Great Tip! Sign up for a Google, Yahoo, or other free email service you can use when you need to enter an email address as part of registration for anything online. That way you don't have to use your main email address that can be reserved for family and friends only. This will cut down on the possibility of spam. Related Articles: Airport WiFi Over 140 of the busiest International Airports, and most of them offer free wifi access! USB Modem How to connect to wireless internet /WiFi service on the go WiFi Providers Offered in thousands of locations around the world, most of them free, here is who offers wifi and how to find them. Did you find this information useful? Contact me with your questions, comments, and suggestions! Home < WiFi Service < You Are Here  New! CommentsHave your say about what you just read!Leave me a comment in the box below. |
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