Wi-Fi – What

What is Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is a wireless radio technology used to connect computers, including tablets, smartphones, and other devices to the internet.  It is the radio signal sent from a wireless router to a nearby device, which translates the signal into data you can see and use. The device transmits a radio signal back to the router, which connects to the internet by wire or cable.

What is a Wi-Fi network?

A Wi-Fi network is simply an internet connection that’s shared with multiple devices in a home or business via a wireless router. The router is connected directly to your internet modem and acts as a hub to broadcast the internet signal to all your Wi-Fi enabled devices. This gives you flexibility to stay connected to the internet as long as you’re within your network coverage area.

What does Wi-Fi stand for?

Wi-Fi is a marketing term and is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance.  It does not actually stand for anything, though “Wi-Fi” could have been a play on “hi-fi”.

Some simple points.

  • Wi-Fi and the Internet are two different things.  Wi-Fi is one method of connection to the internet.
  • Wi-Fi and your phones 3g, 4g or 5g mobile signals are also different.  These mobile signals connect you to a Mobile Phone Cell tower and it provides the internet to you. Yes, these mobile signals are Wireless Radio signals, but they are not Wi-Fi.
  • Wi-Fi is method of establishing a computer network and can be used without access to the internet. It is possible to have computers, printers etc at home connect to each other via Wi-Fi, without any Internet connection.
  • Wi-Fi is a Radio signal; therefore, it will be affected by interference and can be blocked (
  • Wi-Fi uses only a very low power and is easily disrupted or blocked

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