One of the most pressing issues for school districts according to Ester Dyson, editor at large for CNET Networks, is the lack of available broadband access to the Internet. Dial-up access is extremely frustrating when multimedia and streaming video are common place as instructional and Internet media.

Where Wi-Fi  (wireless access usually inside buildings using IEEE 802.11X standards) operates at 1.5 Megahertz to travel up to 300 feet, some radio-based broadband wireless networks broadcast from 2-66 GHz frequency range and from 5 to 30 miles ("Last Mile" wireless using 802.16 or 803.20 standards).

"Parallel to 802.16, the IEEE has also created a new working group, 802.20, which is charged with “the physical and medium access control layers of an air interface for interoperable mobile broadband wireless access systems that operate in licensed bands below 3.5 GHz.” 802.20's technical goal is to “optimize IP-based data transport, target peak data rates per user at over 1 Mbit/sec, and support vehicular mobility up to 250 km/hour.” (Wi-Fi Planet, 2003)

"Another proposed technology for extending wireless coverage across long distances, the long-anticipated WiMAX technology from Intel, is expected to gain momentum in 2006, even if product offerings will be in short supply. "Progress is being made on WiMAX. Late last year, a standard was approved," said Intel's Martin. The WiMAX technology, based on the IEEE 802.16 Air Interface Standard for wide-area wireless deployments, involves a point-to-point broadband wireless signal that can be broadcast over several miles and offer coverage over large areas. Testing on WiMAX has produced mixed results (see http://eschoolnews.com/news/showStory.cfm?ArticleID=5873). "The WiMAX Forum [a nonprofit organization formed to advance the technology], which will certify various vendors' offerings for interoperability, counts 343 companies as members and has started testing products expected for release next year," Martin said."

Usually a network or what is now referred to as a virtual MESH is laid out so that towers broadcast (5 to 30 miles) to amplifiers and amplifiers broadcast to routers and routers physically connect to Wi-Fi access points so that laptops and/or PDAs (Personal Digital Assistant) can attach to network or Internet resources without wires.

Wireless HotSpots are areas where access to wireless Internet connections can be made. Many of these hotspots are free and available to the public. Others are available because the provider has not placed proper security on the wireless network. Free HotSpot locators are available to let you know where you can find free, legal access.