When the internet was born in 1969, it was not only wired, it was practically chained. That was because the internet, then named ARPANET, consisted of a handful of United States military computers linked to each other (heavily guarded too). As time progressed, the internet grew and slowly shed its rigidity. Today, WiFi or wireless networking is the “next big thing”.
More and more workplaces are getting unplugged to access the internet and WiFi is set to give DSL or broadband a run for its money soon. The new wireless internet technology is changing the way we communicate and also how we are using and paying for it.

Take for example, the cellphone. People pay for everything, right from accessing the system to talking and text messaging. The towers of various mobile telephony networks provide the inherent link between two different cellphone users, and hence the charges. Imagine a day when you and I can access each others’ computers without any “go-between”, and that too wirelessly. In a wireless environment, two people can email, share files or data and even talk through Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) without paying a dime.

That wireless internet technology is making its presence felt is evident across both workplaces as well as family homes. More and more people are getting into the wireless internet bandwagon by setting up wireless local area networks in the homes. The wireless local area networks or WLANS enable people to hook up more than one computer to a single internet connection and let each terminal access the internet independently. Moreover, wireless internet enabled gadgets like laptops or printers can be used from luxury of the lawn or the couch while watching your favorite football game. Independence was never so good when it came to using computers. According to recent studies, around a quarter of homes with fast broadband Internet connections have installed WLANs. WiFi networks use radio technologies like IEEE 802.11a or 802.11b to provide fast and reliable wireless connectivity. Wireless networks can be used to connect computers with each other and also connect them to the internet or other wired devices. Since WiFi is cheaper, faster and easy to set up as a network most organizations are now considering to deploy WLANs as compared to traditional wired LANs.

In what seems to be the archaic past, travelers who needed to check their emails in airports had to be privileged enough to be traveling First Class to gain an entry into the “royal” lounge of various airlines. Today, anybody who has a wireless enabled laptop can access the internet anywhere in most of the world’s airports. Airports are not the only places that have become WiFi enabled. Coffee shops, libraries, metro stations, bookstores, shopping malls – all have become WiFi hubs. Even open public spaces have become WiFi enabled. Hermosa Beach, California became a WiFi hotspot way back in 2004.

WiFi is often termed by experts as the next big thing since the internet. This is so because it is not necessary that you use a computer or a laptop while accessing WiFi. Devices, like the humble vacuum cleaner or microwave, can be WiFi enabled to become controllable from a remote location. PDAs, cordless phones, televisions – all can become more productive and easy to use by using WiFi technology.

With the growing popularity of this technology, certain industries are already feeling the heat. The sector facing the greatest difficulty is the mobile telecom sector. The cellphone industry has invested billions of dollars to research and perfect its 3G technology for accessing the internet. However, it might be a case of too little, too late for the telecom companies. 3G is expensive and has not been too well received by consumers. On the other hand WiFi is cheap, at times free of cost, and comes with a host of features that are unavailable in 3G. As calls will be increasingly through VoIP via WiFi, telecom companies are set to be hit hard in that sector too.

Security has been identified as a major problem for wireless internet connectivity by many experts. As the network is free to air, anybody can access the network – that has been the general perception. However, WiFi providers are working on the subject and are developing firewall type technologies to prevent unauthorized access to private systems. Another drawback that is often quoted by the detractors of WiFi is the range of wireless networks. As WiFi networks use low powered radio transmitters, the working range is obviously limited. But, as demand and usage increase with time, WiFi providers are planning to increase both the range and connectivity speeds in wireless networks.
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