Wi-Fi is not yet at the point where it can compete with cellular and satellite networks in all cases. In some instances, though, these other types of connections are not an option, whether due to geography, cost, or both. Long range Wi-Fi has demonstrated its effectiveness in these cases, and developers are working to improve the technology to achieve even more range and speed.Some business instances in which long-range Wi-Fi is preferable, or even necessary, include providing coverage over an office or campus complex, connecting skyscrapers in the city, and connecting internet to remote labs that require it for research. For example, the TIER Project at the University of CaliforniaBerkeley connects the Aravind Eye Hospital with other health clinics in India, at distances of 5 to 13 km (3 to 10 mi). Residential consumers are also finding long-range Wi-Fi useful for connecting to the internet during mountain vacations, or while on the ocean.How are developers getting the most out of their Wi-FI ranges? New multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) technology is being tested as a way to improve speed and distance by targeting sources with multiple antennas. “Range extender amplifiers”, on the other hand, work by supplying an extra watt of power to an antenna, which can increase the range by 5x. One humorous example of technological ingenuity is the cleverly-dubbed “WokFi,” in which USB WLAN hardware is placed at the center of the Asian cookware. This can improve ranges up to several kilometers.The longest link currently recorded, however, was a 304 km link by the Italian Center for Radio Activities (CISAR) in 2007, achieved by a 120 cm satellite dish antenna. A 279 km link was made in Venezuela by the Latin American Networking School, using parabolic dish antennas at both ends, along with an aluminum and a fiberglass reflector.