Wireless Internet Access (WiFi)

Free Wi-Fi hotspots are now available at the following locations in Albany:

• City Hall, 333 Broadalbin Street SW
• Main Library, 2450 14th Avenue SE
• Downtown Carnegie Library, 302 Ferry Street SW
• Albany Senior Center, 489 Water Avenue NW
• More coming soon...

 

 

 

What is WiFi?

A wireless network uses radio waves, just like cell phones, televisions and radios do. In fact, communication across a wireless network is a lot like two-way radio communication. Here's what happens:

1) A computer's wireless adapter translates data into a radio signal and transmits it using an antenna.

2) A wireless router receives the signal and decodes it. It sends the information to the Internet using a physical, wired Ethernet connection.

The process also works in reverse, with the router receiving information from the Internet, translating it into a radio signal and sending it to the computer's wireless adapter.