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The wireless version of Ethernet. Wi-Fi is the wireless equivalent of the wired internal local area networks (LANs) used in companies worldwide. A Wi-Fi logo from the Wi-Fi Alliance certifies that network devices comply with the IEEE 802.11 wireless Ethernet standards.

     In the early 2000s, 802.11b became widely used, followed by 802.11a and 802.11g. The latest version is 802.11n (see 802.11). Within a short time, all laptops and many handhelds came with Wi-Fi built in. Earlier laptops can be Wi-Fi enabled by plugging in a Wi-Fi adapter via a PC Card or the USB port. To learn how Wi-Fi fits into a home or office network, see wireless LAN and hotspot.

What's in a Name?
Wi-Fi sounds a lot like "hi-fi," thus it is mistaken to stand for "wireless fidelity." Although the term may have been inspired by "high-fidelity," Wi-Fi is officially just a catchy name. For details about the transmission technology, see 802.11. See Wi-Fi Alliance, WiMAX, Wi-Fi Multimedia, Wi-Fi camera, Muni Wi-Fi, wireless mesh network, hotspot and cellular vs. Wi-Fi.