The Commission talks in terms of R-LANs, or Radio Local Area Networks – better known as Wi-Fi or WLANs (as in Wide LANs).
Basically, Wi-Fi offers broadband wireless access to the internet. Until recently, broadband access has been mostly offered over the copper telephone network (e.g. using ADSL technology) or via cable TV networks with cable modems. Wi-Fi offers a complementary approach, for anyone within range of a so-called "hot spot," provided they have a suitably equipped laptop or other web-enabled device.
Erkki Liikanen, European Commissioner for Enterprise and Information Society said:
"Today's Recommendation is an important step for the deployment of multi-platform and high-speed Internet connections. The R-LAN technology will give European citizens ready-access to the knowledge-based society when in public places, and away from their home location and will be complementary to other means to access broadband services."
Wireless networks currently operate predominantly in the license-exempt 2.4 GHz band. The new recommendation will encourage all Member States to allow the deployment of public Wi-Fi access networks without sector specific conditions and subject only to general authorisations in line with the new Authorisation Directive.