Wireless Internet is out of the early adopter stage is on the rise in America. The freedom to move around the home and office and stay connected to the Internet has been sold as a need by marketing firms long enough that deep market penetration is now starting to take hold. Its interesting however how many consumers are confused as to exactly what wireless Internet actually is.

The terms Wireless Network and Wireless Internet are thrown around a lot these days, and though they are used interchangeably many times there are major differences. Wireless Internet is a service in and of itself, providing the wireless technology and Internet access in a combo that allows a user to access the Internet away from the home and office. This type of service is more that a home network and a user could be at a hot spot such as a coffee shop airport or hotel. A Wireless Network is in general set up at a singular location such as a home or office. This network uses Wi-Fi technology to send data to an existing Internet connection. This allows the user to access the Internet anywhere in or around the given location, but requires a separate Internet service. Wireless Networks are a one time cost, while the service is ongoing.

A Wireless Network requires each device to have a wireless transceiver, a wireless router, and a broadband Internet connection. A wireless router is a network device that lets users connect multiple devices to a single Internet connection without the use of cables.

In a house with computers in multiple rooms a wireless network is very valuable. Many companies such as Time Warner or comcast will even set the network up for you. A common tactic is too place the router in the house attic or an apartment closet that is central to the dwelling. This means broadband Internet access to any device in the home with no cables to run.

With laptops becoming a common purchase for American families, the Wireless Network has become more important to the home user than ever before. Now a laptop can be used in any room, as well as the surrounding area such as the backyard with the same speeds as wired access.

Wireless Internet requires a wireless card in your laptop or other device, and a wireless account. There are several companies that provide accounts with over 100,000 hot spots across the Globe. This means for one fee you can access the Internet anywhere there is an associated wireless Hot Spot. It is unlikely you will be surfing the web in the middle of a cornfield in Kansas, but an email could be sent with confidence from most airports, Starbucks, and bookstores such as Barnes and noble.

Any provider will have a complete list of Hot spots, so be sure to look carefully where access is available. In large metropolitan areas many times these Hot spots overlap each other and access can be had almost anywhere from stores to the street. It is in these locations that Wireless Internet accounts really shine, and one can move about freely almost anywhere.

Jon Norwood is a founder and managing partner of the directory Wireless Internet, a site dedicated to providing information on Internet service providers, as well as guides on how to best choose a service.

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