A hotspot is an area in which access is available to a wireless network. Their size can vary, from encompassing an entire community to taking up only one room in a house. WiFi service is similar to cellular phone service in that it is maintained by a series of transmitters and relays. However, the difference between mobile phone coverage and wireless service is that cellular service blankets most of the country whereas WiFi has yet to become ubiquitous. Currently, there are a number of ways you can access a hotspot.
- Your own home: you can create a hotspot in at your house or workplace by purchasing a wireless router that can create a range that depends on the size of your house and the size of the hotspot you wish to create.
- Libraries: many public libraries have set up expansive hotspots on their premises for research and leisure use.
- Institutions: many private communities such as universities, businesses, hotels and other institutions utilize wireless Internet. Many restrict their network with a password, but some have extended their coverage to an entire community or open their network to the public.
- Entire communities: there are many cities and towns planning on implementing wireless networks that would give their citizens free WiFi access to the Internet.
