How Our Lives Have Changed with Wireless Internet
How Our Lives Have Changed With Wireless Internet
Name
University of Phoenix
HOW OUR LIVES HAVE CHANGED WITH WIRELESS INTERENT
Wireless Internet access is changing our lives and redefining our workplace. It allows internet access while traveling or while living in remote locations. One traveler explained “Businesses and individuals are accessing information at electronic speeds from almost anywhere in the world” (Griffin, 2008). Wireless access is changing how people work, where people work, and what people work on. This new technology passes data via radio waves. It comes in two forms offering various levels of usage, security, speeds, pricing, and locations of use.
The most common form of wireless internet access is Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity). Wi-Fi is the best service of choice when price and speed are most important. In many cases, usage is free and unlimited. This service is fast (1Mbps – 2Mbps) and available in many metropolitan areas or public places. For example, Tampa International airport offers free Wi-Fi in many areas of the airport. Signs direct users to “hotspots” serving travelers iternet access between flights. Hotspots are within 300 feet from an antenna broadcasting a signal. This service is limiting since a person cannot move far from the antenna without losing connection. The biggest downside to this technology is security—it has none. Therefore, a person would never want to pass personal, private, or sensitive information over a Wi-Fi network.
Others use the cellular network to connect to the internet. This service is affordable but has usage limits. For example, Verizon Wireless allows 5 GB of usage for $59.99/mth. Although its speeds (600Kbps – 1.4Mbps) run more slowly then Wi-Fi, most people consider it an acceptable working speed. Cellular access offers three advantages to Wi-Fi access. First, data passing is secure: sensitive information is not viewable or stolen by others. Second, since a hand-off occurs from
Name
University of Phoenix
HOW OUR LIVES HAVE CHANGED WITH WIRELESS INTERENT
Wireless Internet access is changing our lives and redefining our workplace. It allows internet access while traveling or while living in remote locations. One traveler explained “Businesses and individuals are accessing information at electronic speeds from almost anywhere in the world” (Griffin, 2008). Wireless access is changing how people work, where people work, and what people work on. This new technology passes data via radio waves. It comes in two forms offering various levels of usage, security, speeds, pricing, and locations of use.
The most common form of wireless internet access is Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity). Wi-Fi is the best service of choice when price and speed are most important. In many cases, usage is free and unlimited. This service is fast (1Mbps – 2Mbps) and available in many metropolitan areas or public places. For example, Tampa International airport offers free Wi-Fi in many areas of the airport. Signs direct users to “hotspots” serving travelers iternet access between flights. Hotspots are within 300 feet from an antenna broadcasting a signal. This service is limiting since a person cannot move far from the antenna without losing connection. The biggest downside to this technology is security—it has none. Therefore, a person would never want to pass personal, private, or sensitive information over a Wi-Fi network.
Others use the cellular network to connect to the internet. This service is affordable but has usage limits. For example, Verizon Wireless allows 5 GB of usage for $59.99/mth. Although its speeds (600Kbps – 1.4Mbps) run more slowly then Wi-Fi, most people consider it an acceptable working speed. Cellular access offers three advantages to Wi-Fi access. First, data passing is secure: sensitive information is not viewable or stolen by others. Second, since a hand-off occurs from
References: Griffin, Mike. (2008, January). Wireless access and where it’s available. Cellular Business Journal, 1(2), 28. Liles, Patricia. (2008, October 5). Business improves at remote lodge despite fuel prices. McClatchy - Tribune Business News. Retrieved October 12, 2008, from ProQuest database.