3.1.14 - Describe the characteristics of wireless networks.

Question 1

What is Wi-Fi an abbreviation for?

Answer 1

Wireless fidelity.

Question 2

Outline the characteristics and uses of Wi-Fi.

Answer 2

It is used in laptops/mobile devices to connect wirelessly to home network, and is the most preferred network type to implement a home network. It allows relatively slow to fast data transmissions (depending on the version). It is backwards compatible with most older Wi-Fi standards (a/b/g/n). It’s small transmitting radius makes it suited for homes, usually <20m. It’s also called Wireless LAN (WLAN)

Question 3

Describe Mobile Generations.

Answer 3

Mobile Generations (3G, 4G, 5G etc) are primary way mobile phones access the internet today. They allow the tunnelling of phone lines (mobiles don’t have to switch back to phone network when receiving a call. They’re relatively fast, and speed rates depend on quality of signal being received.