What’s the Difference Between the Internet and Wi-Fi?
Is WI-FI the same as the internet? No, it’s not.
The internet is connected networks all over the world. Wi-Fi is your personal wireless network within your home. With home networks getting more sophisticated all the time, with more and more connected devices, it’s helpful to have a clear understanding of the difference between the two.
What is the internet?
The internet is a massive global communications network. In fact, as its name suggests, it’s more than just one network — it’s a series of thousands of inter-connected networks.
While no one person or organization owns the internet itself, each Internet Service Provider (ISP) typically owns its own network. It buys and installs the specialized networking equipment that makes it possible for customers like you to connect to the internet.
When you connect to CCT’s network from your home or workplace, you have the ability to connect with other networks, companies, services and individuals who are also connected to the internet. For example, you can stream movies on Netflix by connecting via the internet to computer servers that Netflix owns or read your email by connecting to one of Gmail’s servers.
How do I connect my devices to the internet?
With your ONT (Optical Network Terminal) providing the internet connection into your home, there are two ways you can connect your device to the ONT.
Connecting with a physical cable
The first method, which is not very common anymore, involves physically plugging your computer into the port on the back of your ONT using what’s called an Ethernet cable.
Connecting over Wi-Fi
The second method, which is the most common today, involves connecting your computer, tablet or smart phone to CCT’s network without using a physical wire. This “wireless” connection is made possible by Wi-Fi technology. Wi-Fi equipment may be physically plugged into the ONT with a cable or it may combine with the ONT into a single piece of equipment.
Wi-Fi equipment uses radio technology to broadcast a unique name (also known as a service set identifier, or SSID), which you choose when your internet service is installed. When you’re on your laptop or other device, you can see a list of Wi-Fi networks nearby such as yours and your neighbors’. You can select your Wi-Fi name from the list and enter your Wi-Fi password. And just like that, you’re connected to Wi-Fi. You can now access any online service or go to any website using your web browser.
Why are my internet speed tests slower when I'm on Wi-Fi?
Your testing speeds over WI-FI are impacted by many things, consider the following:
- What is the maximum speed the device you’re using will support?
- Is there a chance you have a virus or malware on your device?
- Do you have other things running on your device when you’re running the speed test?
- How far are you from the wireless signal? Do you have a full signal?
All of these things may cause slower speed tests results over WI-FI.
How can I get the speed I pay for over my wireless device?
Make sure:
- you have the latest firmware on this device
- the device you are using is capable of the subscribed speed
- you do not have any viruses or malware running on your device
- you close down all other applications before running the speed test, and
- you have full bars on your signal before running the test
All of these things may cause slower speed tests results over WI-FI.
Why can't I get a good signal in my bedroom?
The wireless radios in WI-FI equipment push service out from the device. Think about it like a speaker, the further you get away, the softer the sound is. Your WI-FI works the same way. The further away you get, the weaker the signal. If there are things like metal, concrete, thick walls and mirrors between you and your WI-FI equipment these can weaken the signal even more.