Free Wireless Networks
Since the construction of the information Superhighway, its' use to distribute information has become phenomenal. Information gathering and dissemination is the most valuable asset for a business to succeed. Demands for more and more efficient means of connecting to the Internet have driven exponential technological advances. So much so that the craze to connect has gone wireless and with this technology an entirely new set of issues, concerns and problems have arisen. One movement associated with the wireless phenomena is the free wireless internet access movement, not unlike the original free internet movement, which largely became a victim of cost burdens and an inability to increase technology with growth, the free wireless movement is a demand by individuals and communities to offer a network or global (inside city limits) connectivity system that is free of charge to the wireless user.
This paper will define and analyze the free wireless movement looking at several city wide and community locations, that have implemented or are in the process of implementing free wireless networks, to develop a greater understanding of what this fast spreading access movement is and what effects it has on the information system. It will delve into the intricacies of its' birth and the forecast of life expectancy. It will define the sometimes confusing terms associated with the phenomena and the work will address security issues with regards to the open airwaves of the wireless networks, how users and administrators will deal with spam, viruses and filters for the Internet. It will assess the laws related to free access, and also what technologies are needed to create and access the system. After unveiling the facts concerning free wireless, one will be able to view the recommendations and conclusion herein as substantiated.
Overview
The wireless movement includes many issues of telecommunication that have been widely debated since the advent of the cell phone. Many believed that cell phone access would almost instantaneously replace traditional wired phone service, though it has proven to be a more gradual process, changes are imminent.
Many analysts believe that wireless could become the voice communications technology of choice -- eventually becoming a substitute for existing telephone service-because it offers the added advantage of mobility. Over the next five to 10 years, wireless technologies will emerge as significant competitors in most communication, information and entertainment markets. (Office of Technology Assessment [OTA], 1995, p. 32)
(Regli 108)
The greatest reason why many individuals have reluctantly retained wired phone connections, or land lines has to do with the inability for the standard user to access the internet without a hard wired phone. Though the technology is now available for such access the transition will again be gradual as issues of cost, legality and security are worked out by the wireless experts and the FCC.
The main denominator in the issue was largely cost, as standard internet connections, through dial up services are still less expensive than the wireless systems available to users.
Yet, as wireless cell phone companies begin to develop packages and plans (including equipment), in the same manner that the traditional wire-based organizations have (noting here that the companies are often multifaceted and offering both wired and wireless services) and the technology becomes more widely available the cost issue will disappear from the radar screen and wireless will become the standard system for access.
With this wireless movement there has been the development of an underground movement to offer wireless access free to any individual who has the equipment to use it. Though the traditional paid systems are more likely to retain the publics attention those who are sincerely interested in wireless access are becoming more and more aware of these services being offered free of charge in many locations, beginning with traditional settings like coffee shops and hotels, but this trend has resulted in t he reality that regulating such services through a cost system is difficult and that accessing the open air systems for free is virtually bound to happen.
It is for this reason and for common reasons of many individuals wishing to close the technology gap between the rich and the poor that free wireless movements have sprung up, and they are clearly growing exponentially.
Definition of Terms
One of the greatest challenges of a concrete understanding of the technology surrounding wireless access is the reliance on new and varied terms associated with the technology of the industry. Wireless access technology can take one of several...
To get a sense of how effective these metropolitan WiMAX networks are, it's useful to look at a WiMAX Scenario Analysis, which is shown in Figure 1. This schematic diagram shows how the various clients for a system would interact with base stations as subscribers, followed in transmission, aggregation and multi-service core aggregation of messaging. Figure 1 illustrates best practices in creating a WiMAX network across a broad metropolitan
Wireless Network Design Proposal Apparently, technology has influenced many fields and education is not an exception. Students can now access education from different locations in the globe, a factor that has contributed to the development of the education sector. In addition, students can access lectures through the internet, lecturers can share information through live-conferencing, and this has led to further development of the education sector. The case study provided aims
Wireless Local Area Networks The establishment of home and business networks desirous of upgrading to Wireless Local Area Network- WLAN confront with the problems of choosing from available alternatives. The vendors offer several products for sale that hovers around different wireless standards like 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g and Bluetooth. During the year 1997, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers -- IEEE developed the first WLAN standard. They termed it 802.11 in
Network Support Technologies Case Study Project Scope, Schedule, and Budget Type and Configuration of the Network Hardware Specifications Software Specifications User Policies and Legal Issues Life of Equipment Project Costs Providing an Online Radio Service Second Life Information is now growing at speeds never thought imaginable. Today's world of Information Technology (IT) has provided the dynamic platform in which exponentially growing information resources emerge. This complex arena of knowledge management provides tremendous advantages to modern society. It allows individuals greater
These aspects should be considered while designing and implementing a network to gain maximum efficiency. (Trulove, 19-20) The standard that defines the application of a WLAN is IEEE 802.11 WLAN standard. Though this is the basic standard amended ones define the additional prescriptions added to it like 802.11a or 802.11b. The capacity of a WLAN is defined by its basic compatibility. WLAN of the latest version comes with an 11
Wireless Broadband Technology Overview of Wireless technology Presently it is quite evident to come across functioning of a sort of wireless technology in the form of mobile phone, a Palm pilot, a smart phone etc. With the inception of fast connectivity in the sphere of commerce it is customary and useful to operate from central locations communicating with the remote branches, conducting conferences in remote places, discussing with every body at every
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now