Wiki Article on LAN

LAN is a term that I have often heard bandied about when discussing telephones versus cellular phones. "I'll have to call you back on a LAN line because my cell phone is losing reception" is one instance.

So it surprised me that the use of this term in that example is probably improper, considering that LAN stands for Local Area Network and refers to computers and devices connected in a network, such as in a home, school, or office building.

According to Wikipedia, the defining characteristics of a LAN are a higher data transfer rate than a Wide Area Network, a smaller geographic area, and no need for leased telecommunication lines. Examples of the structure over which LANs operate are Ethernet and Wi-Fi.