Are you tired of being tethered to your desk, would you like instant access to all of your favorite web sites, news, music, and entertainment all throughout your whole house? Or even anywhere you travel? Wireless makes this all possible. By setting up a wireless network in your house or purchasing a wireless mobile plan, you can start enjoying the freedom wireless internet has to offer you.
Getting started is really easy, you just need to decide on a few things before you begin. Our wireless internet guide will help you get started. This guide will talk about 3 specific topics to help you make the right choice:
- Home Wireless Internet Basics
- Mobile Wireless Internet Basics
Our guide will help you understand how the wireless internet works, get you started with the right equipment, and help you find the right provider for your home and mobile internet needs.
Home Wireless Internet Basics
Wireless for the home has three distinct parts needed to make the wireless home network work. A wireless home network can be thought of as three separate parts: the modem, the wireless router, and the connecting devices. The modem is what your phone, satellite or cable company will provide when you set up your internet. This will be the box that the cable chord or phone line from the wall plugs into. This is the device that connects your home network to the internet.
The next device is the wireless router. Sometimes the provider will give you a modem/router combo that puts both functions in a single device. But often they are separate. A wireless router is the access point for all of your wireless devices. This will be what broadcasts your wireless signal throughout your house. There are many different types of wireless devices out there with a broad range of features, functionality, and price points. If you are setting up a basic network, make sure you buy a wireless router that is capable of broadcasting in both current and past wireless standards. These would be B, G, and N. You want to make sure you get one that broadcasts in all three just in case you have an older device that can only accept G or B signal.
The last part of your home wireless network will be the connecting devices. Connecting devices can be anything from Laptops, to Tablets, to smart phones. To be sure a device has wireless internet capability; check the manufacturer’s information on the device. Ensure that it is capable of receiving Wi-Fi signals in the acceptable B, G, or N range. If you are looking to buy a new device, be sure it can broadcast in the N range. This is the current, and fastest, wireless speed.
Mobile Wireless Internet Basics
Mobile Wireless is different than home wireless because everything is combined into a single device. Instead of having a separate modem, router, and receiving device; mobile wireless internet combines them all into one device. Your smart phone (or tablet) will do it all in one device. Mobile internet comes in various flavors, and the devices vary even more so, but here are a few basics things to help you get started. First, understand that there are 2 main speeds for mobile wireless internet: 3G and 4G.
4G is the fasted speed but it is also more expensive, limited to a select few locations, and will drain your battery much quicker. 4G speeds can reach speeds as fast as some cable/DSL providers so it can be a great option if you are a power user who lives in a location that has it. If not, 3G is still plenty fast for every day needs. 3G is by far the most common standard and found in quite a few locations.
When selecting a mobile wireless plan, be sure to look at the type of plan or phone you will be getting. Google Android phones or Apple iPhones are the most often sold phones now and they both provide great functionality. The choice though will often come down to the deals or bundles the provider you are working with will have at the time.