Radionet Oy, from Finland, has launched a wireless broadband network, i.e. WLAN network, for the city of Vaasa, in western Finland. The WLAN network makes it possible to surf the Internet anywhere in the Vaasa city centre ­ at home, at work or even on a park bench. The network is the first network in the world to cover a whole city centre and also the most extensive in Finland.

The technology in the network is also advanced: the transfer rate for Internet surfing can reach up to 1­2 megabits per second, i.e. it is much faster than an ISDN connection.

The WLAN network makes it possible to surf the Internet anywhere in the Vaasa city centre ­ at home, at work or even on a park bench. There is no need for a mobile phone or phone line, the connection is 100 per cent wireless.

WLAN is a local ­ for example covering the area of a city ­ wireless telecommunications network. WLAN enables the efficient, wireless transfer of data and its receipt by all wireless terminals, such as pocket and portable computers. For the consumer, a broadband wireless Internet connection means cheaper and faster telecommunications connections and also facilitates distance work.

WLAN's advantages are fast data transfer, a continuous connection to the Internet and competitive, fixed monthly prices. The connection is continuous ­ one can surf the Net 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The prices do not change, even if one leaves the connection open for several days. The operating costs of the Vaasa network are about 50 euros a month per customer. It is a competitive alternative to traditional Internet connections through phone lines.

Established in spring 2000, Radionet Oy is a company specialising in wireless network technologies. The company recently delivered its second network to the Mäntsälä Municipality, near Helsinki.

>> www.radionet.fi