Wireless broadband basics

Wireless broadband has come as something of a revolution for many home and business users. It is an option that means freeing oneself from the desk or office, and has enabled many business people to streamline their internet use. Simply, wireless broadband is any technology that provides broadband to your computer without the use of cables.

What is wireless broadband?

Very simply, wireless broadband is technology that allows broadband to be delivered to your laptop or pc via the use of electromagnetic waves rather than by transmission sent through telephone, fibre or other cables. Wireless is transmitted either from land based stations, where the signal is sent from stations in one area to another then picked up by enabled computers, or from satellites. Satellite broadband involves the signal bouncing from Earth to a geostationary satellite then back to Earth again.

Wireless broadband can be picked up by a number of devices:

• Your laptop may have (and indeed almost certainly will have if it was manufactured recently) an inbuilt wireless modem. Brands such as Dell, Fujitsi, Lenovo, HP, Acer and Toshiba all have built – in wireless receivers
• USB sticks or USB modems can be used to pick up wireless broadband, and many plans, particularly prepaid ones, are delivered this way
• PC cards can also be used
• Phones with data modems can receive wireless broadband

There are many options for receiving wireless on your computer or phone.

Wireless broadband considerations

There are some facts to consider if wireless broadband seems like an option:

• Wireless can be more expensive than cable based broadband
• Receiving wireless consistently can depend on where you live, and where the signal is being sent from. Land features such as buildings and trees can interfere with reception
• Satellite broadband is available in a vast number of areas, but is slightly more expensive than land based options
• Satellite wireless transmission is affected by land features, weather, and other terrestrial factors

Wireless broadband can be an excellent option, but consider these factors before choosing it.