| When the internet started out, it was confined to | | | | However, the problem with wireless internet in this |
| rather large desktop computers, which could only | | | | form is that it wasn't actually that reliable. People |
| handle minimal graphics and practically no sound or | | | | couldn't just ditch their home or office connections |
| video. But from these initial ones and zeros and the | | | | and depend on the numerous password-protected |
| countless hours of failed dial-up attempts to transfer | | | | and occasional free networks available, and even |
| files that would be considered laughably small today, | | | | those that are for the general public are often so |
| a steady stream of more advanced technology has | | | | overloaded with users that it would be downright |
| arrived. However, none of it has been as truly mobile | | | | impossible to actually do real work online. This is why |
| as the latest development in the web: mobile | | | | the latest step in the internet actually provides |
| broadband. | | | | mobility, but more than that, flexibility. |
| Before broadband got mobile, it was merely the | | | | The concept for WiMax is simple: all of those things |
| alternative to dial-up, a step in the right direction for | | | | that people are already able to do on their |
| everyone who wanted the ability to do tasks such | | | | smartphones from just about anywhere can now be |
| as send and receive pictures, transfer larger files, and | | | | done on a computer with equal level of ease. Simply |
| even build web sites that consisted of more than | | | | turn on any laptop or desktop computer that is |
| simple designs. Broadband and DSL allowed users to | | | | enabled, and it will automatically find the network, |
| do this by finding a faster way to transmit | | | | which uses towers much in the same way that cell |
| information, not through a phone line but through | | | | phone companies do to bounce a strong signal, which |
| something faster and more capable of handling data. | | | | can carry people not just from the office home, but |
| This didn't just change the speed at which people | | | | even to the opposite coast. |
| received information, but also, the sort of information | | | | The long-term benefits of WiMax are currently |
| that could be transmitted. | | | | unknown, but in a business environment where more |
| Enter wireless internet, which was a natural evolution | | | | and more people require constant access to the |
| from broadband at desktops. Wi-Fi brought a mobility | | | | internet to get their work done, and more and more |
| to getting online that just didn't exist before, helping | | | | people are refusing to be chained to desks for a |
| to change the image of the internet as something | | | | better part of their life, it comes as no surprise that |
| that could only be reached from an office, be it at | | | | an internet service provider would decide to go in this |
| home or somewhere else. Wireless also led to a | | | | direction. And truth be told, most people, whether for |
| greater sense of mobility for those in the workplace, | | | | business or recreational purposes, don't actually enjoy |
| because suddenly it meant that things could be | | | | staring at the internet on a three inch by three inch |
| accomplished from further away from the office, | | | | screen, especially when it comes to complicated |
| whether it be from one's home office or from a | | | | tasks like reading spreadsheets or having a video |
| hotel room while taking part in a conference. | | | | conference. |