802.11n wifi and free internet access
I was thinking about how the latest version of wifi ( N ) works, and I suddenly realised it has the potential to revolutionise internet access.
One of the biggest development of the N standard, has been the ability of wifi routers to use multiple channels at the same time.
This means routers can, theoretically, be set up to provide a public channel just for internet access… Eg channel 1, and also provide a private set of channels, to keep your private networked PCs secured from hacking.
If this is developed and widely adopted, then many places will end up with “ad-hoc” cellular wifi networks, that are run by individuals… all sharing their network access.
Ultimately, it can means you can access relatively free internet access, from most places, without the 3g network charges.
But somehow, I suspect it will die in the same way that direct mobile to mobile (free) phone calls have… Its technically possible (to make mobile phones act like CB radios), but companies don’t want to kill the goose that lays the golden egg!
Have you tried the software called “connectify”? It can be used to make your laptop a wifi hotspot. I just used it and it works well.
I suspect that WiFi will be different from direct mobile to mobile calling. WiFi is used extensively beyond cellphones and many places provide WiFi at various levels of openness. In addition, cellphones and computers are more and more converging. Right now, I use a Nokia N900, which runs a pretty full Linux operating system. I use it both as my cellphone, and as a computer.
With that I have not used much on my cellphone data plan, using WiFi most of the time.
Of course, then we’ll all be reading about the arrests of people “stealing bandwidth” when using these freely available hotspots.
Out of nowhere last summer, I’ve had terrible wi-fi reception with an Airport Extreme and Express. I’m going to give this a shot. Thanks for sharing.
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