What is Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi is the industry-accepted term for "Wireless Fidelity." Along with "Wireless LAN," Wi-Fi is commonly used to represent the various flavors of 802.11 technology, which provides high-speed wireless data access in limited geographic areas. Actually, all three names – Wi-Fi, Wireless LAN, and 802.11 – can be used interchangeably. Let's take a closer look at what these general Wi-Fi terms mean and get a brief summary of why there is such a demand for Wi-Fi in today's market.

Wi-Fi is used primarily as a marketing name representing the 802.11 technology. Wi-Fi means users can access the Internet, company network and data-intensive applications at very fast wireless data speeds, which is why there is such a demand for Wi-Fi.

Wireless LAN, which stands for Wireless Local Area Network, is used primarily when representing the network type. A Wireless LAN may also be referred to as a Wi-Fi Network. In addition to homes and enterprises, Wireless LANs are popping up in public spaces everywhere. This is because Wireless LANS offer high-speed wireless access inside a limited geographical area with a range of 300 to 1000 feet.

What's driving the Wi-Fi boom?
There are a rapidly growing number of Wi-Fi ZONES^TM appearing in the places people congregate. Once a Wireless LAN is installed, Wi-Fi users can take advantage of cost-effective, reliable, and fast wireless connections. This provides a source of revenue and many other advantages to businesses and property owners. Also, many people are taking advantage of the freedom and flexibility afforded by having a wireless LAN at home. Wi-Fi makes it easy to connect to the Internet from your couch, send email from a convention center, have a Net-Meeting in a conference room at work, or enjoy a latte in a coffee shop while shopping online with a friend. All without wires!

How is this possible?
802.11 technology makes wireless networking possible. 802.11 is spectrum in the 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands. There are three well-known 802.11 technologies: 802.11b, 802.11a and 802.11g. Currently, Sprint PCS^SM Wi-Fi Access uses 802.11b in all Sprint compatible Wi-Fi ZONES.

For more information on Wi-Fi, visit the Wi-Fi Alliance online at www.wi-fi.org.