Wi-Fi Jargon Buster

To stop you getting caught out by technical jargon – we’ve translated Wi-Fi’s most important terms.

The Internet

The Internet is like a giant encyclopaedia – a global network, full of interesting things to look at.

It is used to communicate information via email, video, voice and text – immediately. Because of its size, speed and versatility it is very popular.

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi signals transmit an Internet connection wirelessly using radio waves. Mobile phones, iPads, phones and laptops, can pick up Wi-Fi signals if they’re wirelessly enabled.

Broadband

Broadband is a type of Internet connection installed on your telephone line. There are lots of different types of broadband including ADSL, SDSL, Fibre optic, Satellite and Mobile.

Bonded Broadband

When multiple broadband lines are joined together it’s called bonded broadband. Bonding broadband doubles or quadruples the speed of a single broadband line.

Wi-Fi Hotspot

A public location where you can connect to the Internet wirelessly.

Wireless Access point

A piece of hardware that transmits and controls a wireless signal. Sometimes called boosters, repeaters and routers.

Bandwidth

Bandwidth is a measure of available Internet connection speed expressed in bits/second or multiples of it (kilobits/s, megabits/s etc.).

Think of it like a big water pipe – the bigger the pipe, the more water that flows. If you buy a big Internet pipe, you’ll get more information down it. You can download more on an 8Mbps broadband line than a 59Kbps line.

Internet vouchers

A voucher code offering timed or paid Wi-Fi. Voucher codes are unique and provide each guest with a password to get online.

A little bit like a scratch card.

Login Screen

A login page (or captive portal) is the webpage guests see before they log on to your Wi-Fi. Guests will enter a password here to get online, ensuring only authorised users can use your Wi-Fi. This page can also be branded to match your Hotel.

PolkaSpots Supafly Wi-Fi

London’s original Wi-Fi provider, established in 2005.