Most people have heard of it, but the obvious question often seems to come to mind: what exactly is WiFi technology?

The answer is that it's a way to transfer data wirelessly, using the IEEE 802.11 networking standard. It allows users to access the internet at high-speeds, without the inconvenience of being plugged into a cable or DSL connection.

The one limitation of WiFi is that it's primarily a short-range technology, so you do need to be close to a wireless access point or "hotspot" to use it. Because of its immense popularity, however, WiFi locations are relatively easy to find.

A good WiFi directory will show you that there are hotspots located in most high traffic areas, including airports, hotels, malls, libraries, and coffee shops. With the proper hardware, you can generally get internet access at little or no cost, if you know the right places to look.

About the author:

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