Wifi Travel Guide is an essential tool for the person on the go

While on vacation who hasn't wished they could access the internet, if only to check their email and brag to family and friends what a fantastic time they are having. Now with the Wifi Travel Guide you can. It is similar to the wireless network that you would set up at home.

Wifi is short for wireless fidelity; it is a wireless local area network (WLAN). To transmit and receive data over just a few hundred feet it uses a high frequency radio signal. WLAN uses Ethernet protocol. Anyone with a computer, cell phone, or personal digital assistant (PDA) that is Wifi enabled can connect to the internet when they are in the proximity of what is called a "hotspot".

Businesses and service vendors are setting up these hotspots for travelers. Today, since so much of what we do is done by computer it has almost become necessary. A person whose job is sales, and is required to travel, spends a lot of his/her time in hotels. Rather than having to finish their computer work in a main computer station, usually off the hotel lobby, if the hotel has wireless wifi internet they can finish from the comfort and privacy of their room.

Everyday the number of hotspots is increasing. Businesses realize that having internet access for their customers is a huge attraction feature; it keeps the customers with them longer which increases the possibility for additional sales.

Many of the hotspots are free; however, some do require a daily or hourly fee. Some of the hotspots that are fee based do allow free access if you happen to have a subscription with a retailer or business they are associated with. There are many resources available online where you can go to find out where the free hotspots are versus the ones you have to pay for; www.wififreespot.com not only has listings for the U.S., but Europe as well. So next time you are packing for your vacation, don't forget to pack your laptop so while your sipping your Pina Colada at the resort's private beach you can email your family about the wonderful time you're having.