Why there is no such thing as WiFi Internet.

You often see requests from people on Facebook and forums from people asking if they can recommend a “wifi company” or a “wifi internet provider” for their area, when in fact there are no such things!

WiFi (or rather the official “Wi-Fi” as per its trademark) and “internet” are two completely separate things.

But is just one example of todays misuse of technical terminology, where the term “WiFi” has become a bit of a catch-all term for internet systems.

(In the same way that many people incorrectly use the term “Freeview” to describe any form of UK TV, when in fact “Freeview” is the system for UK TV via a TV aerial, not a satellite dish!)

There is “WiFi “.

There is “wireless internet”.

But there is no “WiFi internet”.

Let me explain the huge difference.

What is WiFi ?

WiFi allows your devices, like mobile phones, laptops, TV and tablets, to connect to a router with internet access without the need for wires and cables. It does it via WiFi , local radio signals transmitted from your router to your device.

If your router does not have WiFi, then each device would need to be plugged directly into the router via Ethernet cable.

What is “wireless internet”?

Wireless internet uses masts and towers erected by a local internet provider. Subscribe to their service and they allow you access to their signals that sends data to a receiver “antennae” on your house. This is then distributed around your house by your router to your devices using either WiFi or Ethernet cables.

Wireless internet can also be called “WiMax” – which is “a technology enabling the delivery of last mile wireless broadband access as an alternative to cable and DSL”

So you can have WiFi even without any internet. This is because your WiFi network comes from your router. If that router is not connected to the internet, then you still have access to your WiFi network. Only when your router is connected to the internet can your devices have access to the internet via your WiFi network.

Who is the best WiFi provider?

Well, since WiFi comes from your router, and most routers have WiFi, and most internet providers equip their customers with routers, then the answer is all internet providers!

But WiFi coverage in your house will depend on a few things. Like where is your router situated (ideally in the centre of the building to provide best coverage, unless you use WiFi repeaters / extenders), how many walls does the signal have to ptry and pass though, are those waal thick, is there anything close by that can disrupt WiFi signals ( many routers work on 2.4Ghz frequencies, which is quite crowded as those frequencies are also used by many other things, and affected by microwave ovens!), and how good is the router.

A router with 5Ghz functionality may help with speeds, but 5Ghz signals are weaker than 2.4Ghz signals, so coverage may not be as good (similar to why more mobile phone masts are needed to be erected, to provider fuller 5Ghz coverage)

Conclusion

The bottom line is this: WiFi is the wireless network you use in your house. Wireless internet is a specific type of internet connection that uses masts and towers. Thus there is no such thing as “WiFi internet”, as this is basically mixing two different things!