What is WiFi and how does it work?

WiFi, also known as wireless broadband, is a wireless technology that lets your devices connect to the internet without needing physical cables. Instead of plugging your laptop or phone directly into your broadband connection, WiFi uses radio waves to send data through the air. 

WiFi allows multiple devices, like smartphones, tablets, smart TVs and laptops, to connect to the internet at the same time, as long as they’re within range of your router. That’s what makes it so convenient for homes, offices, cafés and public spaces. 

It’s important to note that WiFi itself isn’t the internet. WiFi is simply the way your devices connect wirelessly to your broadband connection. 

WiFi connects your devices to the internet wirelessly using radio signals sent from your router.

When you do something online, like opening a website or streaming a video, your device sends a request to your WiFi router. The router passes that request through your broadband connection to the internet, then sends the data back to your device wirelessly. This all happens in fractions of a second, which is why browsing, streaming, and gaming feel instant.

How connecting to WiFi works

Here’s what happens when you join a WiFi network:

1. Your device finds available networks
Your phone, laptop or tablet scans for nearby WiFi networks broadcast by routers.

2. You choose a network and sign in
You select your network name (SSID) and enter the password to connect securely.

3. The router connects you to the internet
Once verified, the router assigns your device an IP address so it can send and receive data.

4. Data is sent wirelessly
Your device can now communicate with the internet through the router using WiFi radio signals.

Most modern routers broadcast WiFi on two main frequency bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The 2.4 GHz band travels further and is better at passing through walls, while the 5 GHz band is faster but works best over shorter distances. 

To use WiFi at home, you’ll need the following: 

• Broadband connection: this brings the internet into your home 

• Modem: converts the signal from your broadband provider into usable data 

• Wireless router: creates your WiFi network and sends data wirelessly to your devices. Most broadband providers offer one for free as part of their packages. 

Many homes use a single hub that combines the modem and router into one device, making setup simple. This makes setup more simple and remove the need for two separate pieces of equipment. 

Once your router is set up, your devices can connect to the WiFi network using a network name (SSID) and password. You’ll find them on your hub’s label. 

Different factors can affect how fast and reliable your WiFi feels: 

WiFi and broadband work together, but they’re not the same thing: 

• Broadband is the internet connection that comes into your home from your provider 

• WiFi is the wireless connection that lets your devices access the broadband 

Your WiFi experience depends on both. If your broadband is slow, your WiFi will be slow too. But even with fast broadband, poor WiFi coverage can cause buffering, dropouts or slow speeds on wireless devices.