So what exactly is wi-fi, and how does it work?

As the demand for internet access out of the home grows, so wi-fi becomes an increasingly important part of all our lives. But what is wi-fi – and how does it work?

Wi-fi (Wireless Fidelity) is a high radio frequency that transmits from a router to a wireless local area network (WLAN). The wireless router is connected via a wired connection to the internet, but can decode information sent to it from a wi-fi enabled device and send and receive information this way.

This two way communication enables the use of the wi-fi signal as a mode of communication for anything computerised, in areas that would previously have been inaccessible.

Tablets leading the way

As the demand for online access continues, wi-fi is becoming more and more popular, fuelled in part by the explosion in wifi enabled devices in 2010. Apple’s iPad took the tablet world by storm, and continues to be the tablet that others aspire to be with the Samsung Galaxy, HTC Flyer, Motorola Xoom and RIM Playbook (when it is released) vying with others for that coveted 2nd spot.

One thing is clear – wi-fi enabled mobile devices are a success and 2011 will see more devices continue to come to market. Wi-fi is at the heart of this success enabling the customer to access the internet increasingly around the UK away from the home.

With all of these tablets being increasingly portable and marketed as being wi-fi enabled, it is clear that wi-fi hotspots being available for the customer to use underpins the business model for these tablet manufacturers. If the last couple of years has taught us anything with the transition to mobile broadband it is that wi-fi is here to stay!

Where’s the weirdest place you’ve used wi-fi? Let us know below.

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