Get the most out of wireless networking

Not so long ago computer networks were found only in offices, but since the rise of broadband internet connections many people have installed a wireless router in their home. This kind of network is brilliant for sharing internet access around a house, but then it can also do so much more.

In fact, a wireless network connected to broadband allows you to quickly connect many extra devices to the internet just as a multi-gang power adapter allows you to easily plug many devices into one electrical socket.

Phones
There may already be devices in your home that can connect to your wireless network. If you have a recent mobile phone ­ ­ it may well be able to connect.

If it can, it will allow you to surf the web or download emails on your phone without paying the extortionate prices charged by some mobile phone networks. Look in the phone’s menus for ‘connection settings’ or similar ­ if the phone supports wireless networks it should have an option to scan for your home network and then ask you to enter the network password.

Even if you don’t have a mobile phone that’s ready to connect to a network, you can still use your network to save a fortune on phone calls. You might have heard of Skype, the service that allows you make free phone calls to other users anywhere in the world, but the idea of making calls using a computer, microphone and speakers is enough to put many people off. With a home network, though, you can make these free calls with a wireless phone.

Netgear’s SPH101, for example, looks just like a slightly chunky mobile phone and connects via your home network to make free calls to any other Skype user. It costs around £130 ­ money that could be recouped in a month or two if you make many international calls.

Alternatively, the RTX Dualphone 3088 allows you to make both Skype and normal phone calls from one handset – it’s wireless, with a base unit that plugs into your router using a standard network cable. It costs around £140 from the Skype shop.

If you would rather ditch your landline altogether, consider switching to Vonage. This company provides many cheap call packages ­ for £8 per month you get free calls to 15 countries ­ by sending the calls over your network and internet connection. To make it work you plug a special box into your home network and connect a standard telephone to that.