At the beginning of the last century, our forefathers were witnessing an incredible technical revolution: they could learn the news from a box called radio. It is now our turn to experience a revolution also generated by radio waves. However, we do not receive only sounds, but mainly all kinds of data, at a speed that is high enough even for video materials. All this, thanks to the WiFi technology, which provides us with a wireless Internet connection, even when we are enjoying a beer in a quiet cafAé.
In the big corporations, it is no longer a surprise when staff members show up at meetings with laptops, enabled with a wireless connection to the company's IT networks. Thus, the employees can present their slides anywhere, even in the smoking corners, if the boss feels like enjoying a cigar while viewing the sales report.
Moreover, during a power breakfast in a five-star hotel, negotiators connect their portable computers to the Internet, to check certain data, while sipping cocktails. Then they can send the reports via e-mail, at night, from their king-size bed in the hotel room.
WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) Internet means mainly freedom, its promoters say. Freedom because we are rid of the wires and no longer have to be in a certain place, usually seated at our desks.
To communications companies, WiFi has great potential, proved by the rapid expansion of the so-called hotspots. Europeans now have more than 1,100 locations that provide wireless Internet connection, up 327% since last year.
Even if Romania can be deemed as an underdeveloped country in terms of IT (given the number of computers per 1,00 inhabitants), WiFi is gaining ground here, as well.
Last November, Connex turned the Bucharest-based hotel Marriott into a hotspot. "From the very beginning, our WiFi Connex NetZone service has been a complete success," says Alexandru Hurdubaie, data services manager. Consequently, Connex decided to expand WiFi to the Athenee Palace Hilton, Crowne Plaza and the Sinaia-based Anda hotel. The customers (manly businessmen) only need to buy a card from Connex and own a laptop that is up to a wireless connection. Or they can rent a computer from the hotel.
In its turn, Orange Romania chose Bucharest-based Sofitel and World Trade Center. Company officials says they are also eyeing other hotels and business centres in Romania.
The two operators have not disclosed traffic information for these locations, yet.
However, wireless Internet connection is also targeted by cable operators and fixed telephony companies.
For instance, Astral Telecom hopes "to provide the Astral WirelessZone service by yearend in most Romanian airports," says the company's general manager Aurel Costea. Astral Telecom has already turned the Iasi airport into a hotspot and will launch WiFi services next month on the Timisoara airport and at the Cluj-based Expo Transilvania.
"WiFi completes the range of communication services based on Internet protocol (IP) and provides mobile users with convergent data and voice communications with their partners and colleagues or access to the company's IT resources," says Dan Mihaescu, general manager of communications operator kpnQwest/GTS-Romania.
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