| The whole concept of wireless communication has | | | | As such, many public venues such as cafes, |
| been around a lot longer than many people may | | | | hotels, train stations even offer Wi-Fi hotspots |
| think. As far back as the 1890s, scientists were | | | | either to entice new customers through the |
| demonstrating potential uses for wireless | | | | doors, or purely to provide a convenient service |
| telegraphy, and in 1896 the first wireless signals | | | | for those who need it. |
| were transmitted across water, from a small | | | | Furthermore, there is even mobile broadband |
| island in the Bristol Channel back to a small town | | | | now, which enables you to connect your laptop to |
| on the Welsh mainland. | | | | the internet, even when you are nowhere near a |
| Over time, 'wireless telegraphy' evolved into | | | | Wi-Fi hotspot. By simply plugging in a small USB |
| 'wireless radio' which was eventually shortened | | | | dongle or other portable modem device, it is |
| simply to 'wireless'. And in 1955, the first wireless | | | | possible to connect to the internet wherever you |
| television remote control was produced, which | | | | may be. |
| heralded the beginning of a new technological era. | | | | However, given that wireless LAN connections are |
| So, the concept of communicating without wires | | | | becoming increasingly ubiquitous in many public |
| has been around for a while. But today, the whole | | | | venues, then this should offer most people |
| world seems to be going wireless-crazy, whether | | | | sufficient coverage to satiate their internet |
| it's through mobile phones, wireless internet or a | | | | browsing needs. |
| whole host of other infrared and Bluetooth | | | | Indeed, most modern laptops come with Wi-Fi |
| devices. And, it's easy to see why there is such a | | | | connectivity already built in, which can be |
| demand for connecting via wireless. | | | | particularly useful for business users who perhaps |
| When a computer has a mouse, keyboard, | | | | require only short-term use of a company's |
| printer, speakers and an internet modem | | | | network; and with minimal effort, a user can gain |
| connected, this creates a cacophony of cables | | | | access to full wireless networking facilities. |
| that is not only unsightly, but also very | | | | So, whilst wireless communication may have been |
| inconvenient if you needs to move your | | | | around now for over a century, it is only in the |
| computer to another location. And, using a | | | | 21st century that you are really beginning to see |
| wireless internet connection, in particular, is of use | | | | the full potential of wire-free technology. And, |
| to laptop users who frequently need to move to | | | | from mobile phones to wireless modems, it is |
| different locations in the house without leaving a | | | | possible to get connected without becoming |
| trail of cables behind them. | | | | attached! |