The term wireless network is a straightforward term describing communication from one device to another device without a wire connecting the two devices—thus though the air waves. According to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' (IEEE) website (2008), “The IEEE leads the way in developing open, leading-edge consensus standards for Wireless Local Area Networks (Wireless LANs), Wireless Personal Area Networks (Wireless PANs), and Wireless Metropolitan Area Networks (Wireless MANs).” The IEEE standardizes the wireless communication for the world. By doing so most of the guesswork is taken out of the setup for wireless networking.

Wireless networks have many advantages and two of the great advantages include portability and cost. Susana M. Sotillo stated (2003), “It is now routine for business travelers and educators to carry mobile computers, mobile phones, and personal data assistants that allow them to collect data anywhere—whether in a conference room, a classroom, or a car.” People are becoming more and more mobile with the wireless technology. Being portable is one of the biggest benefits to wireless devices. The mobility of laptops and cell phones is enabling people to work from wherever there is a hot-spot (wireless connection); therefore, employees have the option to become billable and mobile. Making employees billable in conference rooms and airports is one way wireless networks are becoming cost effective. For example, if a company gets a wireless service, such as airportwireless.com, then the company can pay an employee to work in the airport instead of the employee sitting and waiting for the plane. Not running cables is another way wireless networks are cost effective. Companies such as T-mobile and AT&T have saved millions of dollars by not cabling their networks.

Read more: Advantages and Disadvantages of Wireless Networks