Wireless Internet Connection

Reading audio



2004-12-21

(MUSIC)

VOICE ONE:

I'm Faith Lapidus.

VOICE TWO:

Wireless Internet Connection
A wireless router can link many computers.
(Picture - Firewalldepot.com)

And I'm Steve Ember with
EXPLORATIONS in VOA Special English. The Internet computer
communications system permits anyone with a computer to search for
information almost anywhere in the world. This method of
communication began with computers linked to telephones.

Now, computers can link to the Internet without telephones. Today
we tell about "Wireless Fidelity" or the Wi-Fi method of
communicating with the world.

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VOICE ONE:

Our report begins during World War Two in nineteen forty-two. It
involves a famous and beautiful movie actress, Hedy Lamarr, and a
music composer, George Antheil. They invented a method of quickly
changing radio frequencies. Radio frequencies that are quickly
changed cannot be intercepted or blocked by the enemy.

George Antheil and Heddy Lamar develped a new radio technology.<br />
(Picture - Bluetoothnews.com)
George Antheil and Heddy Lamar develped a new radio technology.
(Picture - Bluetoothnews.com)

Mizz Lamarr and Mister Antheil
believed this method of communication would make it harder for the
enemy to detect radio-guided underwater weapons used to sink enemy
ships. They gave the idea to the United States Navy. Navy officials
believed the idea was important and guarded it as a national secret.
But they never used the invention because it would have been very
difficult to develop. However, the United States government gave
Mizz Lamarr and Mister Antheil legal protection for their idea.

This idea later became known as "spread spectrum technology." It
remained a secret until nineteen eighty-five. In the last several
years, this old idea has become the most modern method of
communication involving computers and telephones. It is called
Wireless Fidelity, or Wi-Fi.

VOICE TWO:

Wi-Fi is a method of communication between computers without the
use of wires. This is how it works. One computer has a very small,
low-power radio transmitter and receiver device. It communicates
with a device called a router that is attached to a second computer.
The second computer is linked to the Internet in the traditional way
by telephone. The router sends and receives signals to and from both
computers.

The first computer must be within several meters of the router
for the system to work. Routers can be placed almost anywhere.
Usually, a network of routers covers a large area. As a result, a
person with a small laptop computer can use the machine to link with
the Internet at any place that has a router.

Wi-Fi still uses Mizz Lamarr's and Mister Antheil's idea. It uses
several frequencies at the same time. This prevents interference and
produces a clear radio signal. Experts say Wi-Fi is the fastest
growing part of the computer industry.

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VOICE ONE:

In the very recent past, if you wanted to connect with the
Internet computer system, you had to link with a telephone. It is
now possible to link with the Internet in almost any place that has
Wi-Fi equipment. Wi-Fi connections can be found in most major
airports in the United States. People traveling through airports on
business trips can use their computers while waiting for their
flights. They can use this link to send and receive business
information. This service is free in most American airports. All the
person has to do is turn on his or her laptop computer and have the
computer search for the Wi-Fi link.

Most modern laptop computers search for the nearest Wi-Fi link as
soon as they are turned on. The computer produces a message telling
the owner if it has found a Wi-Fi link and how strong the signal is.

VOICE TWO:

Several major hotel companies around the world now have Wi-Fi
links. These links are found in hotel rooms or a special area of the
hotel. The hotels provide this as a service to guests who are
staying at the hotel. They might provide guests with a special
number for their computer to use the Wi-Fi link. Other hotels
provide a good, strong link that can be used by anyone who has a
laptop that can communicate with the router signal.

Industry experts say thousands of hotels, motels, and businesses
around the United States are providing Wi-Fi connections. This is
very important for people who travel a great deal on business. In
fact, many major cities around the world are already providing the
service. Most cities are planning to make a huge Wi-Fi link that
will let people use their laptop computers almost anywhere in the
city.

Many cities already have Wi-Fi or will in the near future. They
include the American cities of San Francisco, California; Saint
Louis, Missouri and Washington, D.C. They also include, London,
England; Brussels, Belgium; Paris, France; Taipei, Taiwan and Pune,
India. The list of cities planning to provide Wi-Fi is very long.

VOICE ONE:

Wi-Fi links are usually free in public places. Many cities and
towns provide Wi-Fi in their public libraries. Some coffee houses
and eating places in the United States also provide free Wi-Fi
service. However, if you are using the service you are usually
expected to buy food or a cup of coffee.

A modern laptop computer should connect to a Wi-Fi signal very
quickly. However, if the person using the laptop has problems with
the signal, most businesses that provide the service will help
connect to the link. Many businesses will provide written
information that tells how to connect with their link.

Business owners have learned that a Wi-Fi service brings people
into the business. And, if the Wi-Fi link is good, they may stay
longer and spend more money while they work. An example is a hotel
company that provides a good link for business travelers. This would
make all the company's hotels more popular with business travelers.

VOICE TWO:

Wi-Fi is becoming extremely popular in the United States.
Industry experts say that more than sixty-four million Wi-Fi systems
are expected to be sold this year. This is an increase from
twenty-four million in two thousand two. More than eight and one
half million American homes have Wi-Fi equipment. Experts say this
is expected to increase to twenty-eight million homes in two
thousand eight. Wi-Fi systems are not costly and easy to link with a
home computer. Laptop computers with Wi-Fi equipment can then be
used in almost any room in the house.

This also makes it possible for more than one person in the
family to use the home computer system at the same time. For
example, a mother can use the home computer in her office while a
child uses a laptop to do his schoolwork in his room.

VOICE ONE:

Industry studies show that seventy-seven percent of home Wi-Fi
users also want to connect other devices to their computer. These
include devices for copying music. Experts say Wi-Fi technology is
also changing the way and the amount of time people use computers
and the Internet.

For example, many people use their Wi-Fi connected laptops to pay
bills when they are in their home office. They look for cooking
instructions on the Internet when they are in the kitchen. Or they
watch a movie on their computer late at night in the living room.
The experts say the future will include much more use of Wi-Fi
technology.

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VOICE TWO:

Computer industry experts warn that Wi-Fi users should be very
careful when using this exciting technology. They say users should
not send important or secret business information without good
security. The industry experts say many public places that provide
Wi-Fi links do not provide information security. They say anyone can
copy everything you send or receive if the computer does not have a
security system.

Many places leave security technology turned off to make it
easier for people to find and use the Wi-Fi link. The experts say
important information should never been sent or received in a public
Wi-Fi link without good computer security.

VOICE ONE:

Industry experts say Wi-Fi has increased sales of laptop
computers. Laptops that can link with Wi-Fi are now more than thirty
percent of the sales of new computers in the United States. And,
Wi-Fi equipment is selling well because it can be placed in older
computers and is low in cost.

Computer experts say Wi-Fi technology will continue to grow as
the industry improves this method of communication. They say that
the laptop computer linked to Wi-Fi will truly make the Internet
part of daily life in the very near future.

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VOICE TWO:

This program was written by Paul Thompson. It was produced by
Mario Ritter. I'm Steve Ember.

VOICE ONE:

And I'm Faith Lapidus. Join us again next week for another
EXPLORATIONS program in VOA Special English.


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