WiFi is everywhere – from homes, workplaces, community libraries, to local coffee shops, and it’s bringing some much-needed convenience to our busy on-the-go lives. While we are dependent on cellular network connectivity through 3G or CDMA, for instance, there is greater emphasis placed on WiFi applications and products that are also available for use in planes, trains, and automobiles.
WiFi is finding its way into the automotive applications gradually, where a hotspot can be setup in the vehicle that allows passengers to stay connected while traveling. One of the most popular products that nearly all carriers provide includes the 3G-WiFi router. In more technical terms, the device’s wide-area-network (WAN) side use a 3G or CDMA service to connect to the internet, while the local-area-network (LAN) side provides WiFi access to the devices in the car. All WiFi enabled products, such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones can access the internet through this router. The physical size can also be as small as your business card. In addition to vehicles, many trains also provide WiFi access. For instance, VIA Rail Canada has installed 8 antennas in each train set.
Another way to setup in-vehicle WiFi service is to create a hotspot with your smartphone. This technology is very similar to the router option, with the main difference being that it uses software to make the handset perform like a router. Some of today’s latest vehicles have built-in hotspots that can be enabled through a data subscription plan.
While WiFi is getting into the vehicle, it is also become an integral part of airplanes. Since 3G and CDMA technology is not available inside aircraft’s, the majority of US airlines have started to provide in-flight WiFi service to their customers to help them stay connected through emails and social media. Satellite or ground base station networks are typically used, with the biggest player in the air-to-ground field – GoGo.
With GPS tracking system technology, Internet coverage is typically provided by carriers such as AT&T, Sprint, and Rogers. With this, customers have instant access into real-time data. While WiFi hotspot locations can ensure that vehicle data is uploaded on bulk, greater opportunities for constant connectivity through vehicle-enabled hotspots may become a future trend.
