Published on 20.02.2023

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What is WiFi?

The Internet and the associated technological advances revolutionized our lives for the better. The introduction of WiFi changed the way we communicate, conveniently access information over the internet, and transfer data. WiFi, short for wireless fidelity, is a wireless networking technology that allows information exchange, enabling devices such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets to connect to the internet. Earlier you could spot WiFi at a few places, such as airports or hotels. However, these days every home and business uses WiFi.

Let us now understand how WiFi works:

Similar to cell phones or television sets, WiFi uses radio waves or frequencies measured in Gigahertz(GHz).

• For WiFi to work, you require a modem connected to a wireless router.
• The wireless adapter in a device converts data into a radio signal and transmits it using an antenna.
• The wireless router receives this signal and decodes it into information.
• The router then sends this information to the internet using a physical connection, the ethernet.
• Depending on the amount of data, any of the two radio frequencies can be used, 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz.
• A transmission at 2.4 GHz provides internet to a larger area, while 5 GHz restricts itself to a smaller area.
• WiFi networks can transmit on any of the two frequencies or hop between the two bands to help reduce interference.

There are four types of wireless networks, Local Area Network (LAN), Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), and Personal Area Network (PAN). LAN usually connects a small group of computers, WAN is a comparatively wider network that covers towns or cities, WAN spans even larger and connects various countries, while, PAN covers short-distances connecting devices within an individual's reach.

Although WiFi requires wired layout through ethernet cables, there are other internet connectivity options available that could also be cost effective. Read on to understand how to connect a laptop/tablet to the internet without a WiFi router.

1. Mobile Hotspot:

Most smartphones today have an in-built feature known as the personal hotspot, that allows the mobile device to act as a mobile modem and share mobile data with other devices in the proximity. The WiFi speed in the connected devices depends on the network strength in your mobile phone.

2. MiFi Devices:

MiFi devices are pocket-sized portable WiFi routers that connect devices to the internet via a data only SIM card. These devices enable creation of a personal hotspot to connect multiple devices to the internet.

Visit the Vi MiFi page to order your MiFi device and to read more details.