Wi-fi is mostly associated with the internet and most people understand that when one has a mobile device like a smartphone, tablet or laptop, they can connect to Wi-fi to experience wireless connectivity to internet. One of the most popular Wi-fi services in Zimbabwe is undoubtedly ZOLspot which is in over 100 locations countrywide and currently FREE!
So what is Wi-Fi? Wi-Fi, refers to a local area wireless computer networking technology that allows electronic devices to connect, using ultra high frequency radio bands of about 2.4 Giga Hertz and 5 Giga Hertz ISM radio bands. That’s the technical side, now more importantly what can you do with it?
Many devices can use Wi-Fi such as personal computers, video-game consoles, smartphones, digital cameras, tablet computers and digital audio players.
They can connect to a network resource such as the Internet via a wireless network access point. Such an access point (or hotspot) has an average range of about 20 meters indoors and a greater range outdoors up to 100m.
Hotspot coverage can be used in an area as small as a single room with walls that block radio waves, or as large as many square kilometres achieved by using multiple overlapping access points (in other words a lot of hotspots).
To connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot, a computer device has to be equipped with a wireless network interface controller.
Today’s devices come with Wi-Fi capability inbuilt, and so will be able to connect to Wi-Fi networks. Also, Wi-Fi can be provided through devices that can broadcast the signal and allow sharing the internet connection: commonly called tithering.
Wi-Fi provides service in private homes, businesses, as well as in public spaces at Wi-Fi hotspots (such as ZOLspot) set up either free-of-charge or commercially, often using a captive portal webpage for access.
Organisations and businesses, such as airports, hotels, and restaurants, often provide free-use hotspots to attract customers. Enthusiasts or authorities who wish to provide services or even to promote business in selected areas sometimes provide free Wi-Fi access.
For those on the Fibroniks packages being offered by ZOL, subscribers can enjoy Wi-Fi at home. Fibroniks, a Fiber based Broadband service comes as a high speed internet service and the modems provided comes with inbuilt Wi-Fi. Fibroniks users can also access to ZOLsecure hotspots when away from home. These offer security while giving the user the ability to access the internet according to their home package limits.
Thus a user on a Fibroniks package can enjoy high speed Internet at any ZOLsecure hotspot away from home.
Routers that incorporate a digital subscriber line modem or a cable modem and a Wi-Fi access point, often set up in homes and other buildings, provide Internet access and internetworking to all devices connected to them, wirelessly or via cable.
Similarly, battery-powered routers may include a cellular Internet radiomodem and Wi-Fi access point (like Mi-Fi).
These may allow nearby Wi-Fi user devices to access the Internet over 2G, 3G, or 4G networks. Many smartphones have a built-in capability of this sort, including those based on Android, BlackBerry, iOS (iPhone), Windows Phone and Symbian.
In the early 2000s, many cities around the world announced plans to construct city-wide Wi-Fi networks.
There are many successful examples; in 2004, Mysore became India’s first Wi-Fi-enabled city with hotspots covering the entire city and a few nearby villages.
In 2005, Sunnyvale, California, became the first city in the United States to offer city-wide free Wi-Fi and the first ZOLspot went live in 2009. Generally Wi-Fi can be less secure than wired connections, such as Ethernet, because an intruder does not need a physical connection.
Open Wi-Fi which provides unencrypted internet access can easily be manipulated by intruders.
Because of this, Wi-Fi has adopted various encryption technologies. The early encryption WEP proved easy to break. Higher quality protocols (WPA, WPA2) were added later.
ZOLspot is safe to use even though it is open. The ZOLspot platform hinging on a secure and solid network architecture provides a smart solution which is safe (even if it is open) and which protects against network intrusions.
For additional security for the worry warts around us, there is ZOLsecure. What is new on the Wi-Fi scene?
Hotspot 2.0 is a Wi-Fi architecture providing the same experience to the user (if not even better) while it is more secure, even for open wireless, as it requires encryption at network level.
The experience enables the user to connect to the hotspot using their sim-card as identity; with iPhones, a virtual profile is created for the user
On the back of this ZOL Zimbabwe invites you to experience the world of Wi-Fi during HIFA through our ZOLspots.
What exactly is ZOL offering you at HIFA (besides hosting fabulous shows on the ZOL Main Stage this year?)HIFA patrons will have the ability to connect to any ZOLspot for FREE! at any of the HIFA venues .
This allows you access to your favourite websites . . . Facebook, Twitter, Google . . . and access your e-mails.
Of course this spills over to Whatsapp and all this compliments of ZOL Zimbabwe. Another plus is the ZOLselfie Competition. All you have to do is take a photo (selfie) of yourself or you and some friends (or a special somebody) and post it onto our ZOL Facebook wall (facebook.com/ZOLconnect).
You can also put it on your Twitter with the hashtag #LiveLikeThis. Once you are done, you will have the chance to win amazing prizes including free internet, an Amazon Kindle, dongles and so much more. Has there ever been a better reason to ZOL On? Even more exciting; you and your friends will help us choose a winner for the competition.
All you do is get onto Instagram and follow ZOLconnect. Then like the selfies you like which will be posted daily during HIFA. The selfies with the most likes have the highest chances of winning. Bon Chance! ZOL On! During HIFA and Live Like This.
www.facebook.com/ZOLconnect, @ZOLconnect, @ZOLconnect