Solve Your Wireless Problems in Beijing
12,2007
Editor:at0086| Resource:AT0086.com
FavoriteMy
Favorite
When you rent an apartment in Beijing, most places provide ADSL but no wireless connection. If you ask for one, the landlord can charge you extra, or refuse altogether because they think it is too much trouble. But especially to people who share an apartment with others, having wireless is really handy; it means no tangled mess of dirty wires in every corner.
When you rent an apartment in Beijing, most places provide ADSL but no wireless connection. If you ask for one, the landlord can charge you extra, or refuse altogether because they think it is too much trouble. But especially to people who share an apartment with others, having wireless is really handy; it means no tangled mess of dirty wires in every corner.
First, make a shopping list to keep you focused after you walk into one of the colorful and distracting digital-products stores. The list should include a broadband internet connection, a wireless router, and, for older computers without built-in wireless networking, a wireless network adapter.
In China, to get a broadband internet connection, you need to call CNC or China Telecom to install the service for you. For 24-hour-a-day usage, broadband internet costs 100 to 120 Yuan per month.
The function of a wireless router is to convert the signals coming from your broadband connection into a wireless broadcast, kind of like a cordless phone base station.
Generally speaking, a rented apartment will be shared by two or three persons. Since you are not running an internet cafe but just need to make sure there are enough outlets for everyone in the apartment, a wireless router with four outlets will do.
Wireless routers normally have a wide range, which can cover 30 to 100 meters indoors. Picking the router’s location is important. Be aware that metal, microwaves and walls can all affect the quality of wireless reception. Place the router in a high spot, such as the top of a bookshelf. Although most routers list the range that they cover, this is not always reliable. If you have a big apartment or you wish to surf on your balcony, you should purchase a router with wider coverage.
Most new laptops today have a built-in wireless network adapter. With Windows XP, your laptop can search and log online easily, and the same is true for recent versions of Mac OS and Linux. However, people who have an old-style laptop need to buy an adapter. A USB wireless network adapter is the most commonly seen one now, and costs 300 yuan or so.
When you have all of these devices, just hook them all up, turn them all on and start surfing.