Because of the fact that the WiFi networking standard uses very high frequency (2.4 GHz) radio signals to transmit data, its access range is usually quite limited. How limited, of course, depends on the type of WiFi hardware being used.

A single family home or small office, for example, could easily be covered by a single access point, but larger WiFi locations, such as universities and corporate headquarters often need a criss-cross of several different access points in order to serve the entire area.

In theory, this method of adding multiple access points can be expanded limitlessly, to the point of creating citywide blanket network. Such networks have been built, or are being built, in several major American cities.

Creating wide-area wireless broadband networks can lead to numerous advantages, including more mobility for users of WiFi laptops, WiFi phones, and WiFi PDAs.

About the author:

Jeremy Maddock is the webmaster of TeleClick.ca, a trusted source of telecommunications news.