Wi-Fi, also know as 'wireless broadband', 'wireless networking' or 'wireless fidelity', simply means broadband without the wires.
The advantage of small, portable devices like laptops and PDA's is that they can be used anywhere around the house, but if you want to access the internet on them too you'll need a Wi-Fi transmitter.
Once you've got Wi-Fi, you can access the web anywhere in the house on any computer!
Wi-Fi makes life easy
Wi-Fi has become very popular because once you have a base station, any number of desktop or laptop computers can be connected to your broadband service without the need for any cables or installing extra phone lines.
So if you have a second computer in an upstairs room, or a laptop as well as a desktop, the same broadband service will be available on all your machines at the same time.
You can even use your laptop in the garden!
Wi-Fi essentials
If you already have broadband and want to add Wi-Fi then you will need a wireless transmitter.
This is sometimes known as a Wireless Access Point (WAP).
Wi-Fi means wireless broadband for all your computers
Typically it's is a small box which plugs into your computer and has one or two short antennas.
Each computer in the house will then need a Wi-Fi adapter to receive the signal.
