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114 Chapter 8 : Web and wireless connections
Wi-Fi
What is a Wi-Fi connection?
Many environments, such as corporate offices, coffee shops, airports, and
libraries, offer access to a Wi-Fi network. A Wi-Fi network is a wireless local
area network (WLAN). Your phone supports W-Fi connectivity based on the
802.11 standard (802.11b and 802.11g), with WPA, WPA2, WEP, and 802.1x
authentication. A Wi-Fi access point, also called a hotspot, is a network
device with an antenna that provides wireless connections to a larger
network. When you’re within range of an accessible Wi-Fi network, you can
use your phone’s Wi-Fi feature to connect to that network and access the
web.
Why use a Wi-Fi connection?
A Wi-Fi connection is especially helpful in the following situations:
• You’re outside a coverage area and you want to access the web.
• Your wireless service provider’s service plan incurs additional charges for
data services and you want to minimize data service charges by using a
Wi-Fi connection instead.
• You want to maintain a web connection while talking on the phone.
• You’re inside a coverage area, but outside your wireless service provider’s
EVDO coverage area. (A Wi-Fi connection may provide faster throughput
than a 1x data connection.)
Are there different kinds of Wi-Fi networks?
There are two types of Wi-Fi networks:
• Open networks: These networks broadcast their name (SSID) and do not
require you to enter a password or other settings. To learn how to connect
to an open network for the first time, see Connect to a new open network.
• Secure networks: These networks may broadcast their name, but at the
very least, they require you to enter a password that you get from an
administrator (who may be, for example, the librarian or the person
behind the counter at the coffee shop). You may also have to get other
network settings from the system administrator. To learn how to connect
to a secure network for the first time, see Connect to a new secure
network.
To connect to either type of network after the first time, see Connect to a
previously used network.
Turn Wi-Fi on and off
Do one of the following:
• Open Wi-Fi , and tap On or Off.