Everyone is more plugged in these days, but those who are at the forefront of the tech movement would actually prefer to go wireless. Confused? The internet has undergone an number of modifications and improvements in its short lifetime, but one of the biggest critiques by forward-thinking tech-savvy people is that there is no reason to not have access to a version of wireless internet that is just as fast as the quickest cord-provided service. While companies haven’t quite been able to make that happen in the past, the last 12 months have led to the first true leap forward in the world wide web for quite some time. Finally, there is something that makes it easier to get online from just about anywhere in the country.

First, it’s important to look back at the ways that the internet has grown and changed since its inception. Initially, dial-up internet through a modem was the only way to reach the world wide web, and tasks had to be limited to a text-only world, lest people wait almost a half-hour for an image to download and more than an hour for an mp3. In the beginning of the internet, consumers were under the mistaken impression that they needed to pay someone just to bring them there, like AOL, while developments in faster DSL and cable service by local cable and phone companies led to people experiencing the web differently and more of an opportunity to transfer large clusters of data back and forth.

In terms of speed, the internet has definitely made impressive leaps forward and shows no signs of coasting or stalling, but when it comes to mobility, that’s a completely different story. While those with cell phones on a 4G network enjoy the seamless streaming video and high-quality graphics, there are many people with laptops who are stuck with lagging connections, especially once wireless comes into play. The trouble is that a lot of development energy was spent on the actual internet, and not the means by which people come to access it.

That is why the new WiMax technology is so promising, even if its broadband has a little bit of working on to get done before it will be user friendly for everyone. Much like cell phone companies, which bounce signals from tower to tower across the country, promising a network with minimal dropped calls and a strong connection, this new version of wireless spans much further than just one’s home or office. It can be picked up just as easily across the country as across the house, and requires no configuring of networks. A simple booting of a computer–desktop or laptop–and a user is online, with minimal effort. Best of all, the network is fast and reliable, meaning that it’s possible to work on important documents or just video chat from just about anywhere, with limited interruptions and no dropped signal.

Undoubtedly the internet will continue to grow and develop, but for the first time in awhile, it’s possible for those interested in technology to look at the current climate and see that things truly are back in the fast lane for technical innovation.

Related posts:

1. The Evolution of the Internet: From Dial-Up to WiMax
2. Alacritous Internet Connections
3. Mobile Broadband: Internet Experience Redefined
4. Wireless Broadband and Networks
5. Two-Way Internet Equipment Connection