The term "access point" has two meanings. The first of them refers to the physical device, and the second refers to the URL that is included in the settings of a cell phone or computer to work with GPRS / EDGE / 3G.
Currently, WiFi access points are widely used. These are compact devices similar in size to home routers. The simplest of them are equipped with one LAN input and one WiFi antenna, while the more sophisticated access points are combined with routers. In addition to the LAN input, they are equipped with several outputs, usually four. Such a device allows you to connect up to four computers to one Internet channel by wired method and several more - wirelessly. Other devices, such as smartphones or tablets, can connect wirelessly to them, if they have a WiFi interface. Some access points are combined not only with routers, but also with modems, usually of the ADSL standard. Other such devices do not have ADSL modems, but there are USB connectors for connecting WiMax modems. Recently, similar devices have been launched for 3G modems. Pocket hotspots have also recently gone on sale. These are self-contained, battery-powered devices. They combine a 3G modem, router and access point. You can connect devices to them only wirelessly, and there can be no more than five of them. When entering parameters with GPRS / EDGE / 3G into a phone or computer, you have to specify a completely different access point - APN (Access Point Name). It has nothing to do with the devices discussed above. This is a URL, on the correct entry of which the tariffication of data exchange directly depends. Almost any operator has the opportunity to specify this parameter in two ways: for regular Internet access and for WAP. Many very old phones support only the second method, meanwhile, the cost per unit of data volume is significantly overstated. Tariffication can become overstated even if this parameter is specified incorrectly or not specified at all. And in the settings of the MMS service, a completely different URL is indicated as the name of the access point. That is why, when working with such messages, only their sending is paid, and the traffic is free (except for roaming). But it is impossible to access any other servers through such an access point.
