Wireless Internet Vs. Broadband
Internet access can be distributed to the computers, printers, video players and other digital devices in a home or office by means of either cables or wireless signals. Both approaches employ a device called a router to spread Internet service, but each has its own distinct advantages and drawbacks.
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Security
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While a wireless router's built-in security options drastically reduce the chances of someone compromising the network, wireless networks are inherently more vulnerable than wired networks.
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Speed
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A computer used in close proximity to a wireless router can experience data transfer speeds close or equal to that achieved by a wired network. Factors such as distance, interference and physical objects like walls, however, will reduce the quality of the signal and therefore the speed of the connection.
Cost
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Both types of network require a modem and subscription to an Internet service provider, or ISP. Depending on the number of devices to be networked and the amount of space involved, the respective additional costs of each can vary greatly, though the evolving technology incorporated by wireless networks can make them more expensive in the long run.
Convenience
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Wireless networks are by definition much more convenient than their wired counterparts. Users can access them from any point within their range, and some devices, like many PDAs and smartphones, can only access a network wirelessly.
Aesthetics
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Setting up a wired network requires running cables from the router to every device to be connected, a process that can produce cluttered or unattractive results. An unobtrusively placed wireless router or signal-boosting device, on the other hand, can be either stylishly modern or practically invisible.
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- Photo Credit "Linksys WRT54-G" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: webhamster under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
