One of the greatest disparities in bridging the digital divide is the technology industry’s fast rate of evolution. With every new advance in technology, the gap significantly widens between those who have access to and knowledge of technology and those who do not. We would all be wise to become more knowledgeable about the latest buzzwords to keep abreast of what is to come. Wireless technology, or Wi-Fi, is one of these innovations to keep an eye on.  Without public support, wireless networking and Internet connectivity has the potential of significantly widening the gap.  At its best, wireless technology can significantly minimize the digital divide, making Internet access free to everyone, everywhere.  Currently, there are several obstacles that prohibits the universal implementation of this standard. Many experts contend that the support of the general public is necessary if wireless services are ever going to reach their full potential.  For this reason, it is important to understand a little bit more about what wireless technology is, its limitations and what it offers.
 
Through wireless technology, anyone within a designated radius of signals emitted by a transmitter, such as a satellite, can connect to the Internet.  Cell phones operate in this same manner.  To receive these transmissions, a computer must be equipped with an antennae, often called a wireless card.  Apple computer, in particular, has been a pioneer in this technology, offering wireless capability in all of its computers for years.  In recent years, most computer hardware manufacturers have followed suit and distribute computers with the capability of receiving wireless signals.  The obvious advantage of this technology is mobility.  
 
A notable advantage of wireless technology for those concerned with the digital divide is its accessibility.  Many remote and rural areas do not have the option of receiving high-speed Internet access because cables that conduct these services are not available for these areas.   The cost of installing cables in these areas is not feasible for Internet service providers to consider.  With wireless technology, high-speed Internet access is every bit as accessible in remote areas as it is in urban areas because the network operates on open airwaves rather than a physical infrastructure.  With wireless technology, schools can provide students and administrators with handheld devices for Internet access at a fraction of the cost of purchasing larger computers.  In this scenario, digital equity is much more feasible.
 
In the United States, there are some airwaves that are free for small networks.  Many grassroots organizations have taken advantage of these airwaves to implement their own community network of free wireless Internet service. David Hughes of Colorado Springs is considered one of the foremost pioneers in grassroots wireless organizing.  At 74, Dave may not be, by all appearances, the stereotypical techie.  As a highly decorated retired army Colonel, he may even be less of the stereotypical community grassroots organizer.  Nonetheless, Dave Hughes has been pioneering grass-roots technology for years.  In Colorado Springs, Dave Hughes set up a wireless network for Colorado Springs to dialogue on a regular basis with the Mayor. Seattle Wireless, a nonprofit wireless community network, has been using the free frequencies to construct a network of free Internet access throughout neighborhoods in Seattle. 
 
While there are some free airwaves that individuals have been able to make use of in their communities, a larger network requires additional airspace. Most of these airwaves in the United States are owned by the Federal Government and regulated by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC). Wireless service providers pay a license fee for access to this network of airwaves.  The FCC is in the process of opening more of these airwaves to bidders.  Wireless Internet service providers, in turn, charge recipients for these services.  For this reason, much of the evolving wireless phenomena remains very commercial in nature and is still limited to an elite group. Another deterrent is the loss of revenue Internet service providers would endure in the event of a nationwide wireless network.  For these, and other reasons, technology distributors and manufacturers have not been quick to seize the potential of these phenomena. 
 
Some Americans may be able to utilize a greater spectrum of airspace without working through a commercial Internet service or violating the FCC’s regulations on airspace. Native American reservations in the United States have their own governance.  As a result, the tribal lands are not necessarily subject to the same rules and regulations that govern the spectrum of airspace.  As long as the emissions from a wireless network do not cross the tribal land, reservations may be able to equip everyone on the reservation with free wireless networking and Internet access using a greater spectrum.  This is currently being developed on the Turtle Mountain Chippewa Tribe reservation lands in North Dakota.
 
Countries outside of the United States are also not subject to the same governance of airspace.  As a result, third world countries that have traditionally lagged behind in the information age are, in many cases, becoming the new technological pioneers. Villages and schools within proximity to Mount Everest are expected to have wireless Internet connectivity by March. An initiative to build a wireless base station on Mount Everest was pioneered by a local Nepalese citizen, Tsering Gyaltsen with some support from David Hughes, the Colorado Springs wireless pioneer, and Cisco systems.
 
If we haven’t already, we can expect to see some form of wireless technology in our communities within the next few years.  For this reason and because of its potential to bridge the digital divide, we would all be wise to keep an eye on these developments.