AltRed Wireless Center

Wireless networks have provided freedom for people once tied to their desks by computer and telephone cords. Imagine trying to keep up in today’s hectic world without the use of at least one kind of wireless network! The major types of networks are outlined below.Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN): Connects personal devices within reach of an individual, such as connecting Bluetooth headsets to laptops or wireless light switches with lamps.Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN): A type of network consisting of two or more devices, usually with access to the Internet. Often referred to as Wi-Fi, although there are other types of WLANs as well.Wireless Metropolitan Area Network (WMAN): A wireless network consisting of multiple WLANs, often found in cities or on college campuses.Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN): A wireless network which sends and receives data via cellular radio over a cellular network.Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM): The most common type of mobile wireless network. Cell phones connect to a base station, which transfers data to an operation/support station and then to a switching system.Personal Communications Service (PCS): An experimental alternative to GSM first developed by Sprint, which operates on a less-crowded frequency than GSM.