These days, wireless internet access—popularly known as WiFi or 802.11 networking—has become part of everyday life in homes and offices. It wasn’t always like this; years ago, you would mostly come across WiFi at specific places like airports, hotels or selected coffee shops.
Presently, some towns have even gone ahead to install wireless internet in public spaces so that people can enjoy free or affordable connection options.
One of the biggest draws of WiFi is how simple and affordable it is to set up. Wireless systems usually stay out of the way and don’t cause clutter. Unless you’re purposely looking to stream a film or download files, you may not even notice you’re already connected in a zone with coverage.
WiFi has gone from a coffee shop perk to an everyday essential in homes and cities (Photo: Alamy)
This write-up breaks down the core technology that makes WiFi function and also outlines what you’ll need to establish your own connection in a personal space like your home.
Let’s begin by touching on a few core ideas about WiFi.
What Is WiFi?
When people talk about wireless networks, they are referring to the use of radio waves—similar to the ones radios, mobile phones and TVs operate with. Data transmission in a WiFi system is actually quite close to how a two-way radio functions. Here’s a breakdown of how it works:
First, your computer’s wireless card changes the data into a radio signal and sends it through an antenna. The wireless router then picks up that signal and decodes it, sending it to the internet using a physical cable like Ethernet.
The system also works the other way around, with the router receiving information from the internet and converting it into a signal that your device can understand.
The type of radios inside WiFi-enabled gadgets work in much the same way as those in phones and walkie-talkies—they can both send and receive signals. They can also turn digital code (1s and 0s) into signals and vice versa. However, WiFi radios function on certain unique frequencies:
They work at 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz. These higher frequencies allow more data to be transferred at once compared to those used by most regular phones or TVs. Although 2.4 GHz connections are still in use today, they’ve been overtaken by 5 GHz for faster data rates.
One key advantage of 2.4 GHz is that it works better across long distances and through obstacles, unlike 5 GHz which performs best when devices are close by.
WiFi technology is based on the 802.11 family of standards, and these have gone through several updates over time:
The 802.11b version, introduced in 1999, was among the earlier options. It didn’t cost much and became widespread initially, although it offered relatively slower speeds—up to 11 megabits per second—on the 2.4 GHz band. It used a technique called complementary code keying (CCK) to increase performance.
Following that, 802.11a came out and made use of the 5 GHz frequency. It could reach up to 54 megabits per second using a different method called orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM). This process divides the signal into smaller parts to limit interference and improve clarity.
Then came 802.11g, which went back to 2.4 GHz but retained the speed boost of 54 megabits per second by using the same OFDM technology as 802.11a. This made it a faster option than 802.11b, even though it used the same band.
In 2009, 802.11n hit the market and was compatible with all the earlier standards—b, g, and a. It improved both speed and coverage. Although g could theoretically go up to 54 Mbps, most real-life use would only deliver around 24 Mbps due to traffic and congestion.
With 802.11n, the performance shot up to as much as 140 Mbps. It could send multiple streams—up to four—each with a maximum of 150 Mbps, though many routers are limited to just two or three.
From around 2014, another upgrade, 802.11ac, was introduced. This one sticks to the 5 GHz frequency and works alongside 802.11n. It supports faster and more stable connections, with single streams reaching 450 Mbps in ideal conditions.
The technology also supports up to eight data streams at once and goes by names like Gigabit WiFi or Very High Throughput (VHT), based on its potential speed.
WiFi 6, also known by its technical name 802.11ax, arrived in 2019 and brought higher speeds along with better handling of multiple connected devices. It could reach speeds up to 9.2 gigabits per second and support several antennas on one router. Some devices could even connect over a newer 6 GHz band, offering better performance when conditions are right.
By 2024, 802.11be—branded as WiFi 7—started being introduced. This latest version offers improved connection capacity, faster speeds, and wider reach than anything before it.
Several other types under the 802.11 family are designed for specific uses, like vehicle internet systems or setups that allow you to change from one network to another without dropping your connection.
WiFi radios can stick to one band or switch between multiple bands rapidly. This switching, called frequency hopping, helps reduce congestion and allows many devices to share a single wireless connection at the same time.
As long as all devices have wireless network adapters, they can connect to a router and access the internet with little effort. This system works smoothly and efficiently.
However, if the router gets overwhelmed, especially if too many people are doing heavy tasks like video calls or large downloads, it may slow down or even drop the connection. Newer technologies like 802.11ax are designed to minimise these interruptions.
The next part of this guide focuses on how you can access internet service from a WiFi hotspot.
Other Names and Other Wireless Network Standards
Many people think “WiFi” means “wireless fidelity”, but that’s incorrect. The word comes from the 802.11 naming system. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), which is responsible for creating and maintaining various technical standards, came up with this system. Each number represents a different kind of networking standard.
Many towns now offer public wireless to keep everyone connected on the go (Photo: Shutterstock)
WiFi Hot Spots
People often work from places like cafes thanks to public wireless zones.
WiFi hot spots refer to locations where you can get wireless internet access. These are usually found in public areas such as coffee shops, libraries, or airports. Some of them are free, while others may ask for a small fee.
You can even set up your hotspot using a smartphone or a mobile device with cellular capability. At home, service providers also offer equipment that lets you create a reliable wireless system.
To use either public or private WiFi setups, your computer or phone needs the proper hardware. Most modern laptops, desktops, and mobile phones already come with built-in wireless capabilities.
If you have an older system, you can still upgrade by purchasing a wireless adapter that fits into a USB port or an expansion slot. Desktop users can go for adapters that connect through a PCI slot inside the computer’s casing.
After the adapter is installed and the drivers are ready, your computer should be able to detect wireless networks in the area without manual help. That way, whenever you’re close to a hot spot, your machine can tell you about it and ask if you’d like to join. For some older models, you might need to install extra software to handle the detection process.
Public hot spots provide easy access when you’re outside, while home setups let you connect many devices without dealing with a bunch of wires. You can also move your gadgets around without disconnecting anything. Up next, we’ll talk about how you can set up a wireless network in your home.
Building a Wireless Network
To set up a wireless connection in your home where multiple computers are already linked together, integrating a wireless access point is a practical step. However, when there are several unconnected computers or a desire to completely replace a wired network, a wireless router becomes essential.
This device combines several functions in one: it includes a port for your cable or DSL modem, functions as a wireless local area network (WLAN), features an Ethernet hub, contains a firewall, and has a built-in wireless access point.
With a wireless router, you have the flexibility to link computers and mobile gadgets either wirelessly or through Ethernet cables. This allows them to communicate with each other, connect to printers, and access the internet.
Typically, routers provide a signal range of approximately 100 feet (30.5 meters) in every direction, though barriers like walls and doors may obstruct the signal. In spacious homes, signal boosters such as range extenders or repeaters can be used to widen coverage at a low cost.
Routers, much like wireless adapters, can support different 802.11 standards. The 802.11n models usually cost less but may offer slower performance compared to newer ones like 802.11ac or 802.11ax.
Activating your router is usually as simple as plugging it in, which allows it to begin operating using its preset configurations. Through a web-based interface, you can easily adjust these settings.
This includes choosing a new network name, known as the service set identifier (SSID)—which by default is usually the brand name of the manufacturer—selecting a different operating channel if needed, and configuring your security options. Interference from nearby routers using the same channel (such as channel 6) can be reduced by selecting an alternative channel.
Adjusting your router’s security settings is vital both at home and when using public WiFi spots. Leaving a router open allows anyone with a wireless card to tap into your signal. Most users prefer to avoid that by setting up appropriate protection.
Keeping up-to-date with your network security practices is just as important. At one time, Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) was the go-to method for wireless protection, aiming to match the security level of traditional wired connections.
However, vulnerabilities within WEP were discovered, and today, hacking tools can easily break through it. The method was eventually replaced by WiFi Protected Access (WPA), which introduced Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) encryption. Though stronger than WEP, WPA is no longer trusted as secure.
To maintain privacy and limit unwanted access, several security methods are available:
WiFi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) replaced both WEP and WPA and is still recommended for most wireless networks. It gives users the option to use either TKIP or the stronger Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). Just like WEP and WPA, WPA2 also requires a password for access.
Setting up a home WiFi network is easier and cleaner than dealing with tangled cords (Photo: Alamy)
While public WiFi points might still use outdated protections like WEP, it’s best to stay alert while connecting in such places. The WiFi Protected Setup (WPS) feature may simplify the setup process through a preset PIN but has a known vulnerability. Disabling WPS or opting for routers without it could be a safer choice.
The introduction of WPA3 in 2018 marked another leap in wireless protection, becoming the preferred standard by 2020. This version strengthens encryption both on the router and the user’s device.
Its encryption methods change over time, meaning a hacker who accessed your network previously may find themselves blocked during subsequent attempts. It also enables some level of encryption when on unsecured public networks.
Despite employing the best protocols, no wireless system is without risks. Those dealing with sensitive government or corporate information might still opt for a wired connection as a more secure choice. Wireless breaches typically require physical proximity to the router, so home network attacks are rare.
Another layer of protection comes through Media Access Control (MAC) address filtering. Rather than relying on passwords, this method verifies devices through their unique MAC addresses.
Only approved devices will be allowed to connect, and new devices—including guests’ gadgets—must be manually added. That said, this isn’t foolproof. Hackers can imitate authorized MAC addresses to gain access.
You can strengthen your router’s protection further by adjusting a few more settings. Blocking WAN requests prevents remote users from receiving responses from your router. You may also set a cap on how many devices are allowed to connect and disable remote administration features so that changes can only be made by those physically connected to the router.
Changing the SSID from the default to a custom name makes it harder for hackers to determine the router model in use. Using a strong, unique password also adds an extra layer of protection.
Wireless networks offer a convenient and cost-effective solution for connecting multiple devices, and the user-friendly design of most router interfaces ensures that even beginners can manage them with ease.
