How Do Wireless Services Work?

I'm a bit confused about how all this stuff works. I mean, I know how I'll get the wireless to work when I'm at home with my new laptop, but what about when I'm away from home?

I understand that its possible to access networks at libraries and so forth (and if someone wants to explain/or point me in the right direction for info on how to do that, so I can save the time searching, that would be great).

But my biggest question is how does one connect without a nearby network? For instance, if I already pay for broadband service in my home, can I use that account or something? Or do I need to give somebody else even more $$$'s for this service?

 

Your broadband account (DSL/Cable) at home is just for home, though some will offer a dial-up # for when you're away. If you connect a wireless router or access point to that broadband connection at your home, you can have wireless access within range of that access point, but that will be a couple of hundred feet at best. Fine for around the house, but not for mobile access.

If other people have wireless access points and set up thier own wireless networks, you may be able to use them. Some places, like small businesses or hotels, offer access to these networks as a means to bring you into the business (I know a nail salon that advertises wireless access), and may or may not charge any fee for that access, but it's only for that one business or location. (i.e., some hotels may charge $4.95/day or more for access to thier wireless network). Other wireless network are just people's networks that they may not realize aren't secure, and there may be moral and/or legal issues with using these, but that's a different topic.

Then there are wireless service providers, like T-Mobile's HotSpot. These providers offer you an account that you can use to log into thier network from any hotspot that they operate. Some of these types of providers are also affiliated with hotels and/or other businesses (i.e., T-Mobile provides services to Starbucks and Red Roof Inns), so you may be able to use your account to log into thier network at the business's location, instead of paying the individual business' hourly or daily charge. Regardless, you still need to be in range of a Wifi hotspot to access the service, and many times, this type of service will not include your access at home (unless you happen to be in range of one of thier public hotspots).

Finally, seperate from any WiFi solution, there is the ability to get internet access over a cellular network using a cell phone as a modem or a special wireless card that you can get from the cellular carrier (Verizon Wireless, Sprint, etc...). This is generally more expensive and slower than the Wifi accounts, but the coverage is pretty much anywhere where you can get a digital cell phone signal.

 

In the case of the wireless network in a library, or any other free wireless network, your wireless card in the laptop will detect the network and connect to it. Sometimes it will do so automatically, sometimes you have to manually help it to connect.

How do you do this? Let's say you are in the Library. If your wireless adapter does not connect, you have to r-click on the wireless icon in the Tray (where the time is) and select "View Available Wireless Networks". Then a window will pop up and after a few seconds, if not right away, a list of all the wireless networks will appear. Click on one and then click on the Connect button at the lower right of that window.

If you are in the USA, many Panera Bread stores offer free wireless. Also many residential neighbourhoods offer free wireless unknowingly i.e. they don't take the precaution to secure them when they set it up. Go in the parking lot of an upscale condo complex and do the "View Available .... " thing and see what happens. You will be surprised.

Also read the other topic here "How Many Wireless Networks Do You Pick Up?"

 

I think there will be no wired ADSL internet connections in the future, just a Wi-Max internet connection that you could use all over the world.