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The whole concept of wireless communication has been around a lot longer than many people may think. As far back as the 1890s, scientists were demonstrating potential uses for wireless telegraphy, and in 1896 the first wireless signals were transmitted across water, from a small island in the Bristol Channel back to a small town on the Welsh mainland.

Over time, ‘wireless telegraphy’ evolved into ‘wireless radio’ which was eventually shortened simply to ‘wireless’. And in 1955, the first wireless television remote control was produced, which heralded the beginning of a new technological era.

So, the concept of communicating without wires has been around for a while. But today, the whole world seems to be going wireless-crazy, whether it’s through mobile phones, wireless internet or a whole host of other infrared and Bluetooth devices. And, it’s easy to see why there is such a demand for connecting via wireless.

When a computer has a mouse, keyboard, printer, speakers and an internet modem connected, this creates a cacophony of cables that is not only unsightly, but also very inconvenient if you needs to move your computer to another location. And, using a wireless internet connection, in particular, is of use to laptop users who frequently need to move to different locations in the house without leaving a trail of cables behind them.

As such, many public venues such as cafes, hotels, train stations even offer Wi-Fi hotspots either to entice new customers through the doors, or purely to provide a convenient service for those who need it.

Furthermore, there is even mobile broadband now, which enables you to connect your laptop to the internet, even when you are nowhere near a Wi-Fi hotspot. By simply plugging in a small USB dongle or other portable modem device, it is possible to connect to the internet wherever you may be.

However, given that wireless LAN connections are becoming increasingly ubiquitous in many public venues, then this should offer most people sufficient coverage to satiate their internet browsing needs.

Indeed, most modern laptops come with Wi-Fi connectivity already built in, which can be particularly useful for business users who perhaps require only short-term use of a company’s network; and with minimal effort, a user can gain access to full wireless networking facilities.

So, whilst wireless communication may have been around now for over a century, it is only in the 21st century that you are really beginning to see the full potential of wire-free technology. And, from mobile phones to wireless modems, it is possible to get connected without becoming attached!