Why All the Hype about Wifi?

In the 90s, the hype on wireless made people go bananas. This is because the once-common notion that was perceived was that electronic communications will always be bound permanently to the world of cables and hard-wire. Wifi however seemed to change to all that and the possibilities it brought seemed endless. Indeed, the world of wireless innovation may well change the world and shed the tethers of conventional wisdom. Today, it seems that we always connected, and very soon, everything around us, our cars, homes and appliances will be connected too. As with the internet, this change will emerge from the twists and turns that are made possible as a result of the restrictions placed by analog mid-set telecom companies as well as the regulations of the state. It was not until some geeks discovered a new communication standard that would exploit an unlicensed part of the spectrum that wifi really took it off. A Wifi network uses part of what is called junk band that is designated for microwave ovens and cordless phones called 802.11.

It turned out that an internet connection in the office or home can be extended wirelessly using a Wifi network and since then, the goal has been to extend free wireless internet via hotspots. A Wifi network can be used in ingenious ways. A New York activist even has what is called a hotspot bicycle that lets you connect wirelessly within range to the internet. The match of Wifi seems to be on the move. New variants of Wifi that come with exotic descriptors with such terms as Wi-Max or mesh networks are intended to hook up remote areas that have not yet been able to get broadband connections. You can now a wifi network to distant places as Colorado Springs. What makes Wifi have such an appeal you may ask? One is that it is low cost and does not require a big upfront infrastructure investment. It is now possible to wireless connect previously unwired chunks of civilization with ease and allow them to plug into the cyber action. A Wifi network can idea adopted by MIT has seen, for example, inter-village buses in India act as base stations. When these vehicles stop to pick up passengers, anyone within range of the wifi network can use the emitted signal to send e-mail or download files. There are a dozen other wireless variants in this new revolution and it can be expected that we shall see more innovative ways of using these wireless platforms.