Wireless

Wireless Internet is the technology used for high-speed Internet access without phone or cable lines. The data is transmitted to and from the computer via radio frequencies and antennas. The speed of wireless Internet is about 50 times more than 28.8 kbps modem.

Existing:

WI-FI: Wi-Fi (short for "wireless fidelity") is a term for certain types of wireless local area network (WLAN) that use specifications in the 802.11 family. Wi-Fi is ideal for delivering broadband wireless services in a house, building, park or defined small area (anywhere from a less than 100 feet to a few miles, given the hardware).  Wi-Fi enabled laptops, PDAs and computers send and receive data indoors and outdoors; anywhere within the range of a Wi-Fi router/base station. Each of the Wi-Fi protocols -- 802.11a, b, g, and n -- offers a different level of bandwidth and range.

FIXED WIRELESS: Useful in both remote and high-density urban areas, this technology can blanket an entire region in broadband coverage without installing cables or wires. It is a line-of-site technology, which means there cannot be any obstructions between the base station and and a receiver antenna, usually mounted on a home. Fixed wireless implies that the transmitter and receivers are stationary (i.e. a modem on a desk or an antenna on a house). The base station is generally a radio transmitter mounted on a local high point. Fixed wireless companies aims to provide each customer with download speeds of 1.5 Mbps.

WIRELESS MESH NETWORKS: These decentralized systems, in which base stations act as both signal receivers and repeaters, are ideal for delivering bandwidth in congested areas. Much like the Internet itself, mesh networks are extremely adaptable, as signals hop from one base station to another to find the most stable routing.  A wireless mesh network will enable ubiquitous wireless broadband connectivity within its signal boundaries.

SATELLITE: Satellite Internet is the technology used to connect to the Internet via a satellite orbiting miles above the Earth. The data signals travel from the computer to the satellite, then from the satellite to the Internet service provider. There are two types of satellite services: one way and two way. In a one-way satellite service, you can download information at a very high speed via the satellite service, but can upload information only through a regular modem. In a two-way satellite Internet service, you can download and upload information at high speeds. But there is a certain latency (lag) period, particularly affecting upload speeds.

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Emerging:

WIMAX: WiMAX is an emerging wireless technology that promises to deliver high-throughput broadband connections over long distances. WiMAX likely will be used for a number of applications, including "last mile" broadband connections, hotspot and cellular backhaul, and high-speed enterprise connectivity for businesses. In ideal conditions, WiMAX will provide connectivity at speeds of up to 75 Mb/sec and be able to transmit a signal as far as 30 miles. However, on the average a WiMAX base-station installation will likely be able to provide signal coverage only three to five miles. WIMAX receiver products are scheduled to be commercially available in 2006 or later.

3G (THIRD-GENERATION WIRELESS): These advanced mobile networks carry information at speeds three to five times greater than standard digital systems -- up to 1 megabit per second -- to deliver voice, video, or data to mobile-phone handsets. 3G access will be readily available in the United States by 2007.

EDGE (Enhanced Data GSM Environment): EDGE, a faster version of today's GSM (Global System for Mobile) mobile wireless service, is designed to deliver data (at rates up to 384 Kbps) and enable the delivery of multimedia and other broadband applications to mobile phone and computer users. The EDGE standard is built on the existing GSM standard. It is regarded as an evolutionary standard on the way to Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service (UMTS).

EVDO (Evolution Data Only): EVDO is a new wireless broadband technology that typically delivers average upload and download speeds of 300kbps to 500kbps. Some vendors claim they can “super-charge” EVDO to achieve up to 2Mbps. EVDO takes advantage of emerging 3G wireless technology to deliver broadband Internet connectivity where there’s cell phone coverage. An EVDO service plan currently costs $80 per month.

4G (FOURTH-GENERATION WIRELESS): Still in development, this technology will carry connections as fast as 40 Mbps. That's enough bandwidth to watch a DVD-quality video, listen to crystal-clear music files, surf the Internet, and make phone calls -- all at the same time.