If you've been in an airport, coffee shop, retail store or fast food outlet recently, chances are you've been right in the middle of a wireless network.
Many people use Wifi networks to connect devices such as laptops, mobile phones, game consoles and other devices to the internet, this is also known as an 802.11 connection.
In the near future, wireless networking may become so widespread that you can access the Internet just about anywhere at any time, without using wires.

WiFi has a lot of advantages. Wireless networks are easy to set up and inexpensive. They're also unobtrusive -- unless you're on the lookout for a place to use your laptop or mobile device, you may not even notice when you're in a hotspot area.

Like mobile phones, a Wi-Fi network makes use of radio waves to transmit information across a network. The computer should include a wireless adapter that will translate data sent into a radio signal. This same signal will be transmitted, via an antenna, to a decoder known as the router. Once decoded, the data will be sent to the Internet through a wired Ethernet connection. As the wireless network will work as a two-way traffic, the data received from the Internet will also pass through the router to be coded into a radio signal that will be receipted by the computer's wireless adapter. 

Whilst this all sounds great there are some disadvantages and advantages to owning and operating a wireless network.

One of the biggest issues to date with wireless networks is the signal strength depending on the building that your using it in.
Here are a few ways you can improve the wireless signal strength:

1. Position your wireless router, modem router, or access point in a central location

When possible, place your wireless router, wireless modem router (a DSL or cable modem with a built-in wireless router), or wireless access point (WAP) in a central location in your home. If your wireless router, modem router, or access point is against an outside wall of your home, the signal will be weak on the other side of your home. If your router is on the first floor and your PC or laptop is on the second floor, place the router high on a shelf in the room where it is located. Don't worry if you can't move your wireless router, because there are many other ways to improve your connection

2. Move the router off the floor and away from walls and metal objects (such as metal file cabinets)

Metal objects, walls, and floors will interfere with your router's wireless signals. The closer your router is to these obstructions, the more severe the interference, and the weaker your connection will be.

3. Replace your router's antenna

The antennas supplied with your router are designed to be omnidirectional, meaning that they broadcast in all directions around the router. If your router is near an outside wall, half of the wireless signals will be sent outside your home, and much of your router's power will be wasted. Most routers don't allow you to increase the power output, but you can make better use of the power. If your router’s antenna is removable, you can upgrade to a high-gain antenna that focuses the wireless signals in only one direction. You can even aim the signal in the direction you need it most. Consider a Linksys high-gain antenna.

If these tips don't improve your connection strength or speed you may need to purchase a network extender / repeater.

A WiFi repeater is used to extend the coverage area of your WiFi network. It works by receiving your existing WiFi signal, amplifying it and then transmitting the boosted signal. With a WiFi repeater you can effectively double the coverage area of your WiFi network - reaching far corners of your home or office, different floors, or even extend coverage to your yard.
How Does A WiFi Repeater Work?
A WiFi Repeater effectively contains two wireless routers, similar to the wireless router you already have in your home or office. One of these wireless routers picks up the existing WiFi network, and then transfers the signal to the other wireless router, which transmits the boosted signal.

Top three wireless repeaters:

Netgear Universal WiFi Range Extender, 4-port WiFi Adapter - WN2000RPT

Netgear Dual Band WiFi Range Extender, 4-port WiFi Adapter - WN2500RP

Cisco wireless-n range extender - RE1000