BlackBerry Forums Support Community

hickory59 · 12-02-2010, 09:15 PM

This is going to sound pretty stupid to you guys, but I'm older than most of you so maybe you can bear with me a little bit.

What exactly is WiFi? Is it a connection like 3G, is it something you have to pay for, what is it? I don't want to ask my son about this, he's already helped me out a lot!

Thank you in advance.
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Dubdub · 12-02-2010, 09:19 PM

Just how old do you think "we" are? I might be older than you, i your user name is a reflection of your age.

Google is your friend. You can find just about any thing and every thing on the Internet. Here is the real nitty gritty on WiFi:

Wi-Fi - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

HowStuffWorks "How WiFi Works"

What is Wi-Fi? - A Word Definition From the Webopedia Computer Dictionary

hickory59 · 12-02-2010, 09:23 PM

LOL, ok! I do use Google a lot but sometimes with things like this they'll use other terms that I don't know what they're talking about, you know? However, I'll read the links you provided.

(And the 59 in my name is the year I was born, not my age! Just had to say that, although the two are getting closer all the time!!)
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tsac · 12-02-2010, 10:16 PM

As for the age you might be surprised at the ages here.

hickory59 · 12-02-2010, 10:23 PM

I'm glad we had this talk, guys!
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tsac · 12-02-2010, 10:25 PM

Please ask anytime you have a question.

Dubdub · 12-03-2010, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hickory59

LOL, ok! I do use Google a lot but sometimes with things like this they'll use other terms that I don't know what they're talking about, you know? However, I'll read the links you provided.

(And the 59 in my name is the year I was born, not my age! Just had to say that, although the two are getting closer all the time!!)
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Born in 1959? I have you beaten by many years.

You are still a mere babe.

aiharkness · 12-03-2010, 11:10 AM

hickory did you get your answer? I know you wanted a thumbnail summary of the essentials and here's the way I would put it: Wifi capable devices are able to access wireless local area networks such as a hotspot (there enters the jargon) at a hotel, coffee shop, or whatever, or your own home network if you have a wireless router setup. From your perspective, you would not pay anything to use a free hotspot, and you would not pay anything extra to anyone to use your own home wifi, beyond what you are already paying to an ISP for internet service. Some business cell wifi access (such as at some hotels), and you would typically be charged at various possible rates from daily, to monthly, etc. The advantage of wifi is high data rate, and a wifi capable phone can give you access to data service, and voice if UMA capable, when out of range of the mobile network but in range of a wireless LAN.

Hope that's what you were looking for.

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hickory59 · 12-03-2010, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubdub

Born in 1959? I have you beaten by many years.

You are still a mere babe.

Thanks for enlightening me! For some reason, I picture all these hip 20-something's when I'm on here. I'm glad I'm a mere babe (to somebody, at least!)

hickory59 · 12-03-2010, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aiharkness

hickory did you get your answer? I know you wanted a thumbnail summary of the essentials and here's the way I would put it: Wifi capable devices are able to access wireless local area networks such as a hotspot (there enters the jargon) at a hotel, coffee shop, or whatever, or your own home network if you have a wireless router setup. From your perspective, you would not pay anything to use a free hotspot, and you would not pay anything extra to anyone to use your own home wifi, beyond what you are already paying to an ISP for internet service. Some business cell wifi access (such as at some hotels), and you would typically be charged at various possible rates from daily, to monthly, etc. The advantage of wifi is high data rate, and a wifi capable phone can give you access to data service, and voice if UMA capable, when out of range of the mobile network but in range of a wireless LAN.

Hope that's what you were looking for.

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Thank you so much for this, I do appreciate it. I did read one of the links that was mentioned above, but this is even better. What brought this question to my mind (besides the fact that I've been wanting to know more about this) is that a few days ago I got a 3G signal on my phone. This is significant because I hadn't had that previously since we live in a bit of a rural town. Anyway, the next day, a wi-fi icon appeared on my home screen as well. So I was wondering if I have a wi-fi connection from somewhere. I also have an unlimited data plan, so it doesn't matter that much to me, but I was wondering.

stevetaz · 12-03-2010, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hickory59

Thanks for enlightening me! For some reason, I picture all these hip 20-something's when I'm on here. I'm glad I'm a mere babe (to somebody, at least!)

I wouldn't call you a "babe", but I got you by 7 years......

Welcome to the tech revolution....

aiharkness · 12-03-2010, 01:08 PM

When you enable wifi in manage connections, you will see the wifi symbol, regardless whether there is wifi available or not. When you are connected to the RIM/BlackBerry services on wifi, the grey portion of the indicator will turn bright white. Explaining the in between steps is more involved. If you do know you are in a wifi zone, look it up. If you don't understand, then ask.

Re 3G, same thing in my hometown. We only had GPRS for the most part when I first got a smartphone and it seemed to take forever for EDGE to roll out. So now same thing....3G here and there, with EDGE all in between.

djm2 · 12-03-2010, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hickory59

LOL, ok! I do use Google a lot but sometimes with things like this they'll use other terms that I don't know what they're talking about, you know? However, I'll read the links you provided.

(And the 59 in my name is the year I was born, not my age! Just had to say that, although the two are getting closer all the time!!)
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Ah, a veritable pup.