Because of the fact that the WiFi networking standard uses very
high frequency (2.4 GHz) radio signals to transmit data, its
access range is usually quite limited. How limited, of course,
depends on the type of WiFi hardware being used.
A single family home or small office, for example, could easily
be covered by a single access point, but larger
WiFi
locations, such as universities and corporate headquarters
often need a criss-cross of several different access points in
order to serve the entire area.
In theory, this method of adding multiple access points can be
expanded limitlessly, to the point of creating citywide blanket
network. Such networks have been built, or are being built, in
several major American cities.
Creating wide-area wireless broadband networks can lead to
numerous advantages, including more mobility for users of
WiFi
laptops,
WiFi phones,
and
WiFi
PDAs.
About the author:
Jeremy Maddock is the webmaster of TeleClick.ca, a trusted
source of
telecommunications
news.
