Difference Between Wi-Fi and Internet Explained

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By Victor Ashiedu

Published

This Itechguide explains the difference between WiFi and internet.

What is WiFi?

To help explain the difference between WiFi and internet, this section explains WiFi and its features.

Wi-Fi is a short name for Wireless Fidelity. It is what you use to connect your smartphone or computer to a computer network without needing a cable.

A computer network is a connection of many computers so they can communicate with each other.

The reason you may use WiFi and internet as the same term is because your WiFi connects you (your devices) wirelessly (without a cable) to the computer network of your internet service provider (ISP).

Your ISP’s computer network then connects you to the internet.

In essence, the WiFi on your device (smartphone or computer) connects to a device called a router – this is usually supplied to you by your ISP (internet provider).

As an example, if AT&T provides internet to you when they installed your internet, they would have provided a little box. This box is called a router (or Wi-Fi router).

It is this router that your smartphone or computer connects to (via your device’s Wi-Fi). This router then connects you to the AT&T network that connects you to the internet.

What is Internet?

To further explain the the difference between WiFi and internet, this section explains internet and its features.

The internet is a gigantic network of billions of interconnected computers that communicate with each other.

In the last section, I mentioned that the Wi-Fi on your device connects you to your ISP’s network (via the supplied Wi-Fi router). Your ISP’s computer network is made up of multiple computers and devices that communicate with each other, and with other computers outside your ISP’s network (the internet or other WAN).

The internet is made up of millions of such smaller networks – like your ISP’s network. Devices connected to these smaller networks (known as Local Area Network, LAN) communicate with each other. However, if the LAN is connected to the internet, the devices within it may also be connected to the internet.

Generally, internet is also referred to as a Wide Area Network (WAN). However, WAN also refer to a network of computers spread over a large geographical location. Multiple LANs connect to each other via a WAN (like the internet).

Frequently Asked Questions

This section answers some common questions about the difference between WiFi and internet.

I have WiFi signal on my phone or computer, but I cannot browse. Why?

If your phone shows that it is connected to a WiFi, the phone may not have internet. The reason is because, as I explained in the last 2 sections, the WiFi device on your phone or computer is connected to (the router), may not be connected to the internet.

The router need to be connected to your Internet Service Provider’s (ISP’s) network to be able to access the internet. However, the router may be connected to the ISP’s network but you may still not be able to browse.

There are multiple reason for this: 1, if you are on Pay As You Go, you may need to top up your account with your ISP. However, if you are on monthly subscription, you may have missed your payment and your account may have been suspended. 2, the internet for your ISP is down. This could be another reason your router may be connected but you cannot browse.

My Phone or Computer is saying “unable to connect to the device”. Why?

Sometimes when you try to connect to the Wi-Fi device (the router) that connects you to the internet, your phone or computer may display the error “unable to connect to the device”. Most time, this may be a temporal problem.

The first step is to try connecting again. If you still receive the error, restart the device you are trying to connect with (your phone or computer). Then, try again. If you still receive the error, restart the router and try again. In the rare instance that the problem persists, contact your internet provider.

Can I extend My Wi-Fi?

Yes. If you live in a big house (or work in a large office space), you may not have strong Wi-Fi signal in some parts of the house or office. The reason is because the farther you are from router, the more difficult it is for your phone or computer to reach it.

One way to make the router Wi-Fi signal strong in all parts of the house (or even office) is to buy a Wi-Fi extender. It is just another router that connects to your original router and extends the signal to locations close to the extender.

Conclusion

I hope this Itechguide successfully explained the difference between WiFi and internet. I also hope that you found it helpful.

if you did, click on “Yes” beside the “Was this page helpful” question below. You may also express your thoughts and opinions by using the “Leave a Comment” form at the bottom of this page.

Finally, for more Internet tech Itechguides, visit our Domains, Internet Technology Explained page. You may also find our Work from Home page very helpful.

About the Author

Photo of author

Victor Ashiedu

Victor is the founder of InfoPress Media, publishers of Ilifeguides and Itechguides. With 20+ years of experience in IT infrastructure, his expertise spans Windows, Linux, and DevOps. Explore his contributions on Itechguides.com for insightful how-to guides and product reviews.

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Get in Touch

We're committed to writing accurate content that informs and educates. To learn more, read our Content Writing Policy, Content Review Policy, Anti-plagiarism Policy, and About Us.

However, if this content does not meet your expectations, kindly reach out to us through one of the following means:

  1. Respond to "Was this page helpful?" above
  2. Leave a comment with the "Leave a Comment" form below
  3. Email us at [email protected] or via the Contact Us page.

Difference Between Wi-Fi and Internet Explained

Photo of author

By Victor Ashiedu

Published

This Itechguide explains the difference between WiFi and internet.

What is WiFi?

To help explain the difference between WiFi and internet, this section explains WiFi and its features.

Wi-Fi is a short name for Wireless Fidelity. It is what you use to connect your smartphone or computer to a computer network without needing a cable.

A computer network is a connection of many computers so they can communicate with each other.

The reason you may use WiFi and internet as the same term is because your WiFi connects you (your devices) wirelessly (without a cable) to the computer network of your internet service provider (ISP).

Your ISP’s computer network then connects you to the internet.

In essence, the WiFi on your device (smartphone or computer) connects to a device called a router – this is usually supplied to you by your ISP (internet provider).

As an example, if AT&T provides internet to you when they installed your internet, they would have provided a little box. This box is called a router (or Wi-Fi router).

It is this router that your smartphone or computer connects to (via your device’s Wi-Fi). This router then connects you to the AT&T network that connects you to the internet.

What is Internet?

To further explain the the difference between WiFi and internet, this section explains internet and its features.

The internet is a gigantic network of billions of interconnected computers that communicate with each other.

In the last section, I mentioned that the Wi-Fi on your device connects you to your ISP’s network (via the supplied Wi-Fi router). Your ISP’s computer network is made up of multiple computers and devices that communicate with each other, and with other computers outside your ISP’s network (the internet or other WAN).

The internet is made up of millions of such smaller networks – like your ISP’s network. Devices connected to these smaller networks (known as Local Area Network, LAN) communicate with each other. However, if the LAN is connected to the internet, the devices within it may also be connected to the internet.

Generally, internet is also referred to as a Wide Area Network (WAN). However, WAN also refer to a network of computers spread over a large geographical location. Multiple LANs connect to each other via a WAN (like the internet).

Frequently Asked Questions

This section answers some common questions about the difference between WiFi and internet.

I have WiFi signal on my phone or computer, but I cannot browse. Why?

If your phone shows that it is connected to a WiFi, the phone may not have internet. The reason is because, as I explained in the last 2 sections, the WiFi device on your phone or computer is connected to (the router), may not be connected to the internet.

The router need to be connected to your Internet Service Provider’s (ISP’s) network to be able to access the internet. However, the router may be connected to the ISP’s network but you may still not be able to browse.

There are multiple reason for this: 1, if you are on Pay As You Go, you may need to top up your account with your ISP. However, if you are on monthly subscription, you may have missed your payment and your account may have been suspended. 2, the internet for your ISP is down. This could be another reason your router may be connected but you cannot browse.

My Phone or Computer is saying “unable to connect to the device”. Why?

Sometimes when you try to connect to the Wi-Fi device (the router) that connects you to the internet, your phone or computer may display the error “unable to connect to the device”. Most time, this may be a temporal problem.

The first step is to try connecting again. If you still receive the error, restart the device you are trying to connect with (your phone or computer). Then, try again. If you still receive the error, restart the router and try again. In the rare instance that the problem persists, contact your internet provider.

Can I extend My Wi-Fi?

Yes. If you live in a big house (or work in a large office space), you may not have strong Wi-Fi signal in some parts of the house or office. The reason is because the farther you are from router, the more difficult it is for your phone or computer to reach it.

One way to make the router Wi-Fi signal strong in all parts of the house (or even office) is to buy a Wi-Fi extender. It is just another router that connects to your original router and extends the signal to locations close to the extender.

Conclusion

I hope this Itechguide successfully explained the difference between WiFi and internet. I also hope that you found it helpful.

if you did, click on “Yes” beside the “Was this page helpful” question below. You may also express your thoughts and opinions by using the “Leave a Comment” form at the bottom of this page.

Finally, for more Internet tech Itechguides, visit our Domains, Internet Technology Explained page. You may also find our Work from Home page very helpful.

About the Author

Photo of author

Victor Ashiedu

Victor is the founder of InfoPress Media, publishers of Ilifeguides and Itechguides. With 20+ years of experience in IT infrastructure, his expertise spans Windows, Linux, and DevOps. Explore his contributions on Itechguides.com for insightful how-to guides and product reviews.

Related Articles

Get in Touch

We're committed to writing accurate content that informs and educates. To learn more, read our Content Writing Policy, Content Review Policy, Anti-plagiarism Policy, and About Us.

However, if this content does not meet your expectations, kindly reach out to us through one of the following means:

  1. Respond to "Was this page helpful?" above
  2. Leave a comment with the "Leave a Comment" form below
  3. Email us at [email protected] or via the Contact Us page.

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