Wireless wide Area Network

A wireless wide area network (WWAN) is a special type of network that sends wireless signals outside a single building or property. Conversely, a local area network or LAN connects computers and other hardware inside a residential or commercial property. Wireless wide area networks and wireless local area networks also differ in the types of signal processing technologies they use.

While local area networks often rely on Ethernet, twisted pair, or short-range wireless routers, wireless WAN can use different types of cellular network systems to send signals over longer distances. Large telecom service providers such as T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, and AT&T typically support wireless WAN one way or another, and these larger types of networks often require certain types of encryption or security that your local network may not need.

Since wireless wide area networks rely on the same telecommunications systems that support the delivery of data and voice to and from modern tablets and smartphones, these larger types of networks can also be susceptible to so-called the limited amount of wireless spectrum frequencies may have an impact on how telecommunications service providers can provide services to a growing consumer base. This may cause some WAN administrators to change parts of their networks to rely less on systems for maximum bandwidth.