Almost everyone today surfs the web, has social media account and uses the Internet. We also use the term the Internet and WiFi interchangeably because we think both are the same.
However, there is a big difference between WiFi and the Internet. Let’s dive in to find out what the difference is and how these two are connected.
What is WiFi?
Wireless networks allow you to connect devices without using any wire or cable. WiFi is another term for the wireless network through which you connect to multiple devices and the Internet using radio waves. To connect to other devices, you use a router, and to connect to the Internet, you use a modem.
Also read: What is the Internet of Behaviour (IoB)? How does it differ from IoT?
What is the Internet?
Internet is the network of multiple computers and devices through which people can share data, communicate with each other, do online shopping, and all the other stuff.
The Internet uses a set of protocols to communicate with other devices. Through the Internet, you connect yourself with the World Wide Web (WWW), which is an aggregation of websites having the resources.
Are WiFi and Internet the same thing?
Now, let’s take a short example to understand the concept of WiFi and the Internet and how they are interrelated.
Suppose, in your neighbourhood, there is a shop having loads of different chocolates. To buy the chocolates, you need to take a route and reach that shop.
Now, as the shop has loads of different chocolates, similarly, the Internet has loads of data and resources. And to buy the chocolates, you go through a route. Similarly, to access the data and resources present on the Internet, you use WiFi.
However, having WiFi doesn’t mean you have access to the Internet as well. You need to have a modem through the help of which your WiFi connects you to the Internet. You also do need to have an Internet package provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
Therefore, in a nutshell, you use WiFi to connect to the internet to access the data (websites, apps or games) on the internet.
