Editing Wi-Fi (section)

== Societal aspects ==
{{See also|Internet #Social Impact}}

Wireless Internet access has become much more embedded in society. It has thus changed how the society functions in a number of ways.

=== Influence on developing countries ===
{{See also|Long-range Wi-Fi}}

{{As of|2017}} over half the world did not have access to the Internet,<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last=Decker|first=Kris De|date=6 June 2017|title=Comment bâtir un internet low tech|url=http://journals.openedition.org/tc/8489|journal=Techniques & Culture. Revue semestrielle d'anthropologie des techniques|language=fr|issue=67|pages=216–235|doi=10.4000/tc.8489|s2cid=165080615|issn=0248-6016|access-date=8 May 2020|archive-date=13 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713111307/https://journals.openedition.org/tc/8489|url-status=live}}</ref> prominently rural areas in developing nations. Technology that has been implemented in more developed nations is often costly and energy inefficient. This has led to developing nations using more low-tech networks, frequently implementing renewable power sources that can solely be maintained through [[solar power]], creating a network that is resistant to disruptions such as power outages. For instance, in 2007, a {{convert|450|km|mi|adj=on}} network between Cabo Pantoja and [[Iquitos]] in [[Peru]] was erected in which all equipment is powered only by [[solar panel]]s.<ref name=":1" /> These long-range Wi-Fi networks have two main uses: offer Internet access to populations in isolated villages, and to provide healthcare to isolated communities. In the case of the latter example, it connects the central hospital in Iquitos to 15 medical outposts which are intended for remote diagnosis.<ref name=":1" />

=== Work habits ===
Access to Wi-Fi in public spaces such as cafes or parks allows people, in particular freelancers, to work remotely. While the accessibility of Wi-Fi is the strongest factor when choosing a place to work (75% of people would choose a place that provides Wi-Fi over one that does not),<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal|last=Forlano|first=Laura|date=8 October 2009|title=WiFi Geographies: When Code Meets Place|journal=The Information Society|volume=25|issue=5|pages=344–352|doi=10.1080/01972240903213076|s2cid=29969555 |issn=0197-2243}}</ref> other factors influence the choice of specific [[Hotspot (Wi-Fi)|hotspots]]. These vary from the accessibility of other resources, like books, the location of the workplace, and the social aspect of meeting other people in the same place. Moreover, the increase of people working from public places results in more customers for local businesses thus providing an economic stimulus to the area.

Additionally, in the same study it has been noted that wireless connection provides more freedom of movement while working. Both when working at home or from the office it allows the displacement between different rooms or areas. In some offices (notably Cisco offices in New York) the employees do not have assigned desks but can work from any office connecting their laptop to Wi-Fi [[Hotspot (Wi-Fi)|hotspot]].<ref name=":2" />

=== Housing ===
The Internet has become an integral part of living. {{As of|2016}}, 81.9% of American households have Internet access.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Digest of Education Statistics, 2017|url=https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d17/tables/dt17_702.60.asp|website=nces.ed.gov|language=EN|access-date=8 May 2020|archive-date=14 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200514043300/https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d17/tables/dt17_702.60.asp|url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, 89% of American households with broadband connect via wireless technologies.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Wi-Fi: How Broadband Households Experience the Internet {{!}} NCTA – The Internet & Television Association|url=http://www.ncta.com/whats-new/wi-fi-how-broadband-households-experience-the-internet|website=www.ncta.com|date=6 April 2018 |language=en|access-date=8 May 2020|archive-date=12 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512044128/https://www.ncta.com/whats-new/wi-fi-how-broadband-households-experience-the-internet|url-status=live}}</ref> 72.9% of American households have Wi-Fi.

Wi-Fi networks have also affected how the interior of homes and hotels are arranged. For instance, architects have described that their clients no longer wanted only one room as their home office, but would like to work near the fireplace or have the possibility to work in different rooms. This contradicts architect's pre-existing ideas of the use of rooms that they designed. Additionally, some hotels have noted that guests prefer to stay in certain rooms since they receive a stronger Wi-Fi signal.<ref name=":2" />