'getting' Wifi

[anaxcrosswords]

Yes, this is going to sound like a stupid question! My parents in Italy have a laptop running XP and my mum recently bought a Sony eReader. Because of their remote location she can't find a Wifi connection to access the Reader Store, although the laptop does have a broadband internet connection.
It strikes me that her laptop should have Wifi... but, thinking again, I wonder if that's necessarily true. So here's my question:
What does she need to do to ensure that her laptop can provide a Wifi connection to the eReader (without necessarily plugging it in)?
Any help gratefully received.

[VHG]

The laptop does not PROVIDE a wi-fi signal.

It RECEIVES a wi-fi signal from a device like a Broadband Router.

If they have broadband coming in to the house via the phone line they need to get a ROUTER that is wi-fi enabled to fit to that phone line.

This will allow a computer or laptop to access the router (and hence the internet) via a cable if they wish.

It will also allow a laptop or ereader to access the router via wi-fi, and hence get to the internet that way.

[anaxcrosswords]

Thanks VHG - I hadn't determined whether or not she has a router, so I'll ask.