Broadband has promised a lot for many years – such as endless streaming content from wireless broadband access at the touch of a button from anywhere in the world. Lately it seems as if these promises, made long ago, are finally being fulfilled. So what exactly does wi-fi have to offer?

Wi-fi is short for Wireless Fidelity, and describes a protocol for transmitting data over a wireless network. Assuming the user has the correct hardware, a wi-fi account, and is in range of the transmitters, the service allows the user to connect to the internet at broadband speeds without the use of cables. This obviously allows for a more mobile and convenient service.

The way wi-fi works is not dissimilar to the now familiar mobile phone. The setup is basically the same, but the equipment is different. At some point in the future it is expected that these technologies will merge.

In the UK, there are already thousands of small, localised wi-fi hotspots in public places such as hotels, cafes, and libraries. Chances are you have already used one. Users can log on to the internet at these hotspots provided they have an account with the broadband supplier and the necessary wireless equipment, such as a wireless laptop or broadband-enabled mobile phone.

Wi-fi account usage is usually paid for with a credit card at a special log-in page on which opens automatically in a web browser such as Internet Explorer or Firefox. Frequent users may even have permanent accounts with the service providers.

In the future, wireless broadband will not be restricted to cafes and libraries. UK Internet service providers will also offer wi-fi through giant "zones" which will cover large urban areas.

One such wi-fi zone was recently launched at Canary Wharf, the central business district of London, and is currently Europe's largest wi-fi enabled financial area.

There are also plans to roll out such "hotzones" in other major urban centres throughout the UK, including Edinburgh, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, and the London boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea, Camden and Islington.

So it seems the broadband revolution has gone wireless. Just as we are becoming accustomed to walking amongst city-workers lost for sound within their own iPods, we may soon have to contend with these same folk being lost for sight as they check there email during the daily march to work.

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