Understanding Wi-Fi and Wireless WAN

Understanding Wi-Fi and Wireless WAN

Provided by Rekhi

After you decide to go wireless, the next decision to make is how you want to connect to the Internet and how mobile you need to be. This article goes over both Wi-Fi Internet access and WWAN access.

Tethered Wi-Fi: How It Works

Tethered Wi-Fi Internet access is similar to a traditional, wired Internet connection. A wireless NIC (network interface card) sends data over digitized radio signals to an access point or "hotspot." The access point is typically connected to the Internet via a wired broadband connection. Wi-Fi networks have become such a fixture in many public establishments that many professionals don't worry about getting online when they're away from their homes or offices -- they simply look for a coffeehouse or a bookstore.

Wi-Fi is a general term for a set of technical standards. The IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) is the body that defines technical standards for several areas, including computer networking. It approved the first Wi-Fi standard -- 802.11 -- in 1997. That first standard is now referred to as 802.11 Legacy and is no longer in use. These are the standards used today:

•802.11a: 802.11a offers a range of about 100 feet indoors and an average data rate of 25 Mbps (megabits per second).

•802.11b: 802.11b was an improvement over 802.11a in terms of range. It covers about 150 feet indoors, but it's far slower, at an average data rate of 6.5 Mbps.

•802.11g: 802.11g is the most commonly used standard today. It covers about 100 feet indoors and has an average data rate of 11 Mbps.

•802.11n: 802.11n is an experimental standard. It's reported to have a range of about 160 feet and a much improved average data rate of 200 Mbps. It's not widely used and isn't a fully approved standard yet.

Tethered Wi-Fi: Who It's Perfect For

Wi-Fi Internet access is great for telecommuters and other professionals who can get their work done in any setting. It's also convenient when you're on the road because most hotels offer Wi-Fi to their guests as a way to entice business travelers.

Tethered Wi-Fi: The Benefits

The biggest benefit of Wi-Fi Internet access is availability. In the past few years, Wi-Fi has become widely adopted in so many public places that you can expect to find a hotspot almost anywhere you need to get online. It's usually faster than the wired broadband connection it's attached to, so you probably won't notice any slowdown compared to plugging into a network with a wired connection.

Tethered Wi-Fi: The Drawbacks

Wi-Fi Internet access is available only within a short range of the access point -- typically 150 to 300 feet. Most users consider this limitation a fairly minor drawback because they usually work from a stationary location, such as a table in a coffeehouse that's well within the optimal range. They might not be able to log on from the sidewalk outside the coffeehouse, but that's not a big deal to most users.

Business owners see the 300-foot range as a benefit. They can provide Internet access to their customers but not necessarily to patrons of the shop down the street. The short range means that users who want to get online have to come into the business, where they're almost certain to have a sandwich or a cup of coffee.

Wireless WAN: How It Works

If Wi-Fi is too constraining for the way you do business, consider getting online with wireless WAN, which uses cellular network technologies to transmit data.

There are two competing standards in wireless WAN or wireless broadband technology:

•EVDO (Evolution Data Optimized): Based on the CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) standard, it gives users speeds comparable to a slow DSL (digital subscriber line), at under 2 Mbps.

•HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access): Based on the GSM™ (Global System for Mobile Communications) standard used worldwide for cellular communications, it provides a higher-quality signal than EVDO.

Both wireless broadband standards carry data over the same cell towers used for voice communications and are carried on their own radio frequency to avoid crosstalk.

Wireless WAN: Who It's Perfect For

Wireless WAN technology is designed for users who need to get online when they travel or when they're outside an established Wi-Fi hotspot. Because wireless WAN carries data over cell phone signals, users can log on from any location within range of a cell tower.

Wireless WAN: The Benefits

The increased range (compared to Wi-Fi) and accessibility are wireless WAN's biggest benefits. Being able to access the Internet from almost anywhere is a great convenience for users on-the-go. You can check your e-mail from the back of a cab, update your Web site while you wait for lunch to arrive, and order supplies online from your parked car. With wireless WAN, you can maximize your productivity by recapturing short periods of time that would otherwise be wasted.

Wireless WAN: The Drawbacks

Wireless WAN is slower than other broadband connection methods. With wireless WAN, you can expect speeds a bit slower than DSL (up to 2 Mbps). This speed is fine for sending e-mail and navigating most Web sites; however, you'll notice some lag. And navigating Web sites that rely heavily on streaming video or other bandwidth-intensive elements can be cumbersome.

Also, wireless WAN isn't available in all areas or from all cell phone providers. Currently, there are three main providers in the United States: Cingular, T-Mobile, and Verizon. They cover most of the major U.S. metropolitan areas as well as some midsize cities. Cingular also services more than 190 countries.

Wireless WAN: The Costs

The first step in purchasing wireless WAN service is deciding which provider to use. This decision is largely a matter of availability and signal strength, so it's a good idea to visit a reliable dealer who can demonstrate the service options available in your area. The major wireless WAN providers have similar pricing plans. They charge about $60 per month as an add-on to a voice plan or $80 per month for data service alone.

You also need a wireless device with a wireless WAN network card built in, or you can attach an external wireless WAN network card.