The Low-Down on Wi-Fi

By Staff Writer

Have you heard the buzz? Whether it's on commercials, in coffee shops, or on magazine covers, "wi-fi" seems to be on everyone's lips. Find out what it is, how it works, and how you can be a part of it. As a tech-savvy business owner, you can't afford not to.

An Introduction to Wireless

Wireless fidelity or wi-fi is just what you'd expect: a network without wires or cables.

Wireless fidelity or wi-fi is just what you'd expect: a network without wires or cables. In office terms, it means taking your laptop to the conference room or a coffee shop and accessing the Web without plugging in. This ability to "go wireless" gives you greater flexibility and the option of taking your business on the road.

How it works: When within range, your computer latches onto the wi-fi signal. It runs at 11 megabits per second (Mbps), although the speed varies depending on how many walls are between` you and the hub or how far away you are. The only necessary part for your laptop is an antenna, which is likely already built-in (if not, they are very easy to add).There are three standards of wi-fi protocols: 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g. The most common, both in public places and in manufactured laptops, is 802.11b.

On the Road

You can find wi-fi access in cafés, bagel shops, convenience stores, gas stations and fast food restaurants.

Once the technology was mastered for going wireless in homes and offices, wi-fi branched out in public. Now, you can find wi-fi access in cafés, bagel shops, convenience stores, gas stations and fast food restaurants. Business travelers can check their email on the road or download news at broadband speed on laptops, PDAs and a host of other electronic devices.

Thousands of wi-fi "hotspots" are popping up around the country. Some are owned by major telecommunication companies and offer networking at large chains of stores and restaurants, and others are contracts with smaller networks. In most cases, you pay for access, either with your purchase or on a subscription basis.

Important to note is that wi-fi is not the same as using your cell phone with Bluetooth. There (with service known as 2.5G or 3G), you use an adaptor for your cell phone and dial a number into the network, which then gets your laptop online. These are telephone services offered by cell phone companies, and you can access the Internet anywhere your cell phone has service. It's convenient, but you pay for convenience with speed: The telephone standard is 40-70 kilobits per second (Kbps). Compared to the broadband speed of wi-fi, this is like using a 56K modem!

Turning Your Business into a Hotspot
If you own a high-traffic or loitering business, you can easily build revenue by adding a hotspot. It's a relatively low-cost venture and you don't need to be a technical expert to manage it-in fact, it's as simple as getting broadband access and then plugging it into the hotspot hub or device. Provided you advertise, you'll see an increase in traffic and business. Remember: your customers won't be able to see the hotspot network; you'll have to tell them.

Considerations

Wi-fi connections aren't secure. Although there is a security standard, Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), which encrypts data, it's relatively easy for hackers to break.

For now, wi-fi connections aren't secure. Although there is a security standard, Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), which encrypts data, it's relatively easy for hackers to break. A more secure Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) standard is on its way, but until then, customers are encouraged to use virtual private networks (VPNs). VPNs use password protection and 128-bit encryption, which is one of the safest modes possible.

As with any new technology advances, there are some glitches to be aware of. For instance, although hotspots are turning up around every corner, they aren't everywhere. The further you get from major cities and airports, the less likely it is that you will find wi-fi access. Additionally, not all wi-fi networks are compatible yet, and you may need to open more than one account to ensure access nationwide. Lastly, as wi-fi is new, it's also rapidly evolving and updates in equipment are likely, so be prepared to make upgrades in the near future.

Among business users especially, the number of wi-fi subscribers is likely to grow. As word spreads and it grows more common, competition between types of access and the various provides will get fierce, and a shake-up in the Internet connection industry is bound to happen, so it's even more necessary that business owners keep themselves updated on changes.

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