Global Area Network

What Does Global Area Network Mean?

A global area network (GAN) refers to a network composed of different interconnected networks that cover an unlimited geographical area. The term is loosely synonymous with Internet, which is considered a global area network.

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Techopedia Explains Global Area Network

Unlike local area networks (LAN) and wide area networks (WAN), GANs cover a large geographical area.

Because a GAN is used to support mobile communication across a number of wireless LANs, the key challenge for any GAN is transferring user communications from one local coverage area to the next.

The most sought-after GAN type is a broadband GAN. The broadband GAN is a global satellite Internet network that uses portable terminals for telephony. The terminals connect laptop computers located in remote areas to broadband Internet.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…