2007-03-06 15:09:15 · 5 answers · asked by myangelbarry 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Computer Networking
You have to have a wireless router, but not necessarily cable internet service.
Most people use the wireless network so that the can have access to their broadband connection on a number of machines and not have to worry about running a cable to each one.
So, you could have DSL through the phone company, cable internet, even satallite internet going into your wireless router.
The wireless card will use whatever you have.
2007-03-06 15:12:45 · answer #1 · answered by BigRez 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The antennas pick up a broadcast internet signal.
You will need actual service, and a broadcaster (usually a wireless router) to send the signal to your computer.
The wireless is just a convenience, so you don't have to string cables around. Prior to wireless, you had to run a cable from your machine to the connection.
The antennas by themselves don't magically give you internet service. It's not broadcast all over the earth. You might live in an area where a neighbor has service and you pick up on that (but it's illegal to do so) but as a rule, a wireless card doesn't get you internet service without you actually subscribing to it and providing it in your house or apartment.
2007-03-06 23:19:39 · answer #2 · answered by T J 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A wireless PC card will only work if you have a wireless router connected to the internet...whether it's cable,dsl,or sattelite. Or if someone close by has wireless internet in their home...you could patch in :).
2007-03-06 23:15:04 · answer #3 · answered by jonwalkerr 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It all depends if you are talking about a "Wi-Fi" card or an "Air" card.
A "Wi-Fi" card needs to be able to connect to a "access point", usually a wireless router, and that must have an internet connection through DSL, Cable, or Satellite.
An "Air" card allows you to access the internet through the cell phone network. It doesn't need an access point. Both Sprint and Verison have them. They are sold with plans similar to cell phones.
2007-03-06 23:39:21 · answer #4 · answered by timmn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it looks like you have no idea what your talking about or they have some thing new out. let me try to make sense of this. you have a wireless card that plugs into your computer. thats for wi-fi, wireless internet. you then connect to a router which is connected to a dsl or cable modem.
2007-03-06 23:15:25 · answer #5 · answered by josiah k 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋