What is Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi technology (short for ‘wireless
fidelity') allows you to wirelessly connect to the internet at broadband
speeds. It provides a high-speed wireless connection between laptops, PCs, PDAs
and other wireless-enabled devices so that you don't have to be tied to your
office or wired to a data outlet.
A Wi-Fi hotspot indicates the presence of a
wireless local area network (WLAN), which provides an access point in a public
location where you can easily access the Internet through a Wi-Fi enabled
laptop or mobile device.
Most laptops now have Wi-Fi built in as
standard (e.g. those based on Intel's Centrino platform). Wi-Fi enabled laptops
provide your workers with a mobile office from which they can access the internet,
email and office systems and can be in touch with their business whenever and
wherever best suits them.
What are the benefits of Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi hotspots offer broadband connection
to the internet, which can handle large downloads in a fraction of the time it
would take using a traditional dial-up connection.
Serviced hotspots, available in Starbucks
or BAA Airports, and increasingly, smaller privately- run cafes and bars, for
example, also provide users with a secure, reliable and convenient service allowing
them to connect easily, wirelessly and instantly.
Wireless working enables staff to make the
best use of their dead-time whilst travelling to and from work, whilst waiting
at the airport for a flight or even while waiting for a meeting to start.
Further benefits associated with Wi-Fi
include the ability to access information on demand which allows staff to
respond more rapidly to client queries, keep in contact with colleagues and
take advantage of new business opportunities as soon as they arise.
Where can I find a Wi-Fi hotspot?
Wi-Fi hotspots are typically located within
high footfall locations such as coffee shops, hotels and airports with the
hotspot setting often acting as the worker's virtual office.
Hotspots are appealing not just to professionals
working for large organisations but also to small business and start-up
communities, as the cost of using them is minimal and can be accessed on a pay
as you go basis, or for free as an incentive to keep people in your shop, bar
or cafe.
Major developments in Wi-Fi have led to the
availability of Wi-Fi services literally on planes, trains and automobiles. Wi-Fi
can be found in service stations and in almost all airport terminals across the
UK. In addition Ryanair has just announced plans
to introduce in-flight Internet technology for long haul customers in 2008.
The first broadband Wi-Fi service on trains
launched last year on Southern Trains' London to Brighton route and is being
followed by further launches of Wi-Fi facilities on various rail networks
across the country (e.g. Heathrow express service from early 2007).
Using Wi-Fi hotspots:
Most wireless enabled laptops are
pre-configured and you can get access to hotspot services straight away. If
your laptop does not have Wi-Fi capability built in you can purchase a plug-in
module such as a USB key, PC card or even an SD Wi-Fi card from any major
electrical store.
You can use any standard internet ready
browser or operating system. No additional software is required. Launch your
browser at a hotspot location, insert any web address and you will be directed
to the relevant web page from the Wi-Fi service provider.
Most Wi-Fi hotspots can be accessed by
anyone and you don't need to have an account set up with the Wi-Fi provider to
use it.
Once you have been connected simply select
one of the payment options (unless its a free service, of course) and buy a
pass online - you will be issued with a username and password to use straight
away.
