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8
Y O U R C O N N E C T I O N S T O T H E W E B A N D W I R E L E S S D E V I C E S
to automatically download new satellite
information, and whether to perform an
automatic download when your
smartphone is connected to your computer
using the USB cable.
Connecting to a Wi-Fi
network
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) based on the 802.11 standard.
When you're within range of an accessible
Wi-Fi network, you can use your
smartphone's Wi-Fi feature to connect to
that network and access the web.
KEY TERM
hotspot. A network device with an antenna
that provides wireless connections to a larger
network.
174
C O N N E C T I N G T O A W I - F I N E T W O R K
Wi-Fi access point Also called a
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 your wireless service provider's
•
plan incurs additional charges for data
services and you want to minimize data
service charges by using a Wi-Fi
connection instead.
You're inside a coverage area, but
•
outside your wireless service provider's
UMTS (3G or HSDPA) coverage area. (A
Wi-Fi connection may provide faster
throughput than a GPRS or EDGE data
connection.)
You want to maintain a web connection
•
while talking on the phone.
Are there different types 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
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