Editing Wi-Fi (section)

=== Internet ===
[[File:SSID ESS.svg|thumb|An example of a service set called ''WiFi Wikipedia'' consisting of two basic service sets. The clients automatically [[roaming|roam]] between the two BSSs without the user having to explicitly connect to the second network.]]

Wi-Fi technology may be used to provide local network and [[Internet access]] to devices that are within Wi-Fi range of one or more routers that are connected to the Internet. The coverage of one or more interconnected access points can extend from an area as small as a few rooms to as large as many square kilometres. Coverage in the larger area may require a group of access points with overlapping coverage. For example, public outdoor Wi-Fi technology has been used successfully in [[wireless mesh network]]s in London. An international example is [[Fon Wireless|Fon]].

Wi-Fi provides services in private homes, businesses, as well as in public spaces. [[Wi-Fi hotspot]]s may be set up either free of charge or commercially, often using a [[captive portal]] webpage for access. Organizations, enthusiasts, authorities and [[business]]es, such as airports, hotels, and restaurants, often provide free or paid-use hotspots to attract customers, to provide services to promote business in selected areas. [[Router (computing)|Routers]] often incorporate a [[digital subscriber line]] modem or a [[cable modem]] and a Wi-Fi access point, are frequently set up in homes and other buildings, to provide Internet access for the structure.

Similarly, battery-powered routers may include a [[mobile broadband modem]] and a Wi-Fi access point. When subscribed to a cellular data carrier, they allow nearby Wi-Fi stations to access the Internet. A number of smartphones have a built-in [[mobile hotspot]] capability of this sort, though carriers often disable the feature, or charge a separate fee to enable it. Standalone devices such as [[MiFi]]- and [[WiBro]]-branded devices provide the capability. Some laptops that have a cellular modem card can also act as mobile Internet Wi-Fi access points.

Multiple traditional university campuses in the developed world provide at least partial Wi-Fi coverage. [[Carnegie Mellon University]] built the first campus-wide wireless Internet network, called [[Wireless Andrew]], at its [[Pittsburgh]] campus in 1993 before Wi-Fi branding existed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://popcitymedia.com/innovationnews/wifi100511.aspx|title=How Wi-Fi got its start on the campus of CMU, a true story|last=Smit|first=Deb|date=5 October 2011|website=[[Pop City]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007191316/http://www.popcitymedia.com/innovationnews/wifi100511.aspx|archive-date=7 October 2011|url-status=dead|access-date=6 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Wireless Andrew: Creating the World's First Wireless Campus | publisher=Carnegie Mellon University | year=2007 | url=http://www.cmu.edu/corporate/news/2007/features/wireless_andrew.shtml | access-date=6 October 2011 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110901202026/http://www.cmu.edu/corporate/news/2007/features/wireless_andrew.shtml | archive-date=1 September 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-OMoL5Irm08C&pg=PA121|title=The Innovation Journey of Wi-Fi: The Road to Global Success|last1=Lemstra|first1=Wolter|last2=Hayes|first2=Vic|last3=Groenewegen|first3=John|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2010|isbn=978-0-521-19971-1|page=121|author-link2=Vic Hayes|access-date=6 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112175135/http://books.google.com/books?id=-OMoL5Irm08C&pg=PA121|archive-date=12 November 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> A number of universities collaborate in providing Wi-Fi access to students and staff through the [[Eduroam]] international authentication infrastructure.