What is the Difference Between Internet and Wi-Fi?

If you’re like most people, you commonly use the terms “Wi-Fi” and “Internet” interchangeably. Actually, Wi-Fi and the internet are two separate things that work together.

Think of it this way…The Internet is the data, or the vehicle. Wi-Fi is a wireless network technology that sends this data via internet connections – the highway – through the air to wide area networks and on to non-wired computers.

Wi-Fi allows devices such as your mobile phone, tablets, TVs and other wireless devices to connect to communicate the same way as when network cables are used, just without the actual cables. A Wi-Fi network is basically a wireless local network.

Slower speed on Wi-Fi doesn’t mean there is something wrong with your internet. In fact, slower Wi-Fi speed is pretty much inevitable, since wireless technology uses Radio Frequency or RF waves to send data, and these waves ALWAYS degrade over distance – it’s just a matter of physics.

Wi-Fi connections are more prone to interference, signal loss and degradation, which all increase over distance. These factors can reduce the speeds you can extract out of your internet service when using Wi-Fi.

So what can you do to optimize your Wi-Fi?

1. Try a quick reset of your router and devices.
2. If possible, move around to reduce interference from devices (microwaves) and obstacles (concrete floors and walls) and to be closer to your Nokia Gateway.
3. Reduce network traffic (the number of users and/or devices) to increase Wi-Fi speeds.
4. Ensure that your devices are capable of the desired speeds and that the operating systems on those devices are up to date.
5. Consider switching to a wired connection for maximum speed. You’ll be able to extract the maximum possible out of your internet package if you plug into your router; it’s much harder to do that on wireless, especially the further you move from your router.
6. Call Trailblazer’s 24 x 7 Tech Support at 970-577-3770 to diagnose any issues that could be impacting your Wi-Fi speeds.