What do we mean when we say “Wi-Fi”?

📶 What is Wi-Fi?

Wi-Fi (sometimes spelled WiFi, wifi, or wi-fi) is the signal that lets your devices connect to the Internet without messy cables. Think of it as an invisible bridge between your gadgets and the online world.

A little more technically:

• Wi-Fi creates a local network in your home, office, or coffee shop.
  
  
• It doesn’t create the Internet itself. You still need a service from your Internet provider.
  
  
• “Wi-Fi” is just a catchy brand name. Nothing more, nothing less.
  
  

However you spell it, it all means the same thing: freedom from cords.

📡 It doesn’t mean “wireless fidelity”

A lot of people think Wi-Fi stands for “wireless fidelity.” It sounds official, right? But… it’s not true.

Back in 1999, a group called the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (now the Wi-Fi Alliance) had a big problem: their fancy technical name—IEEE 802.11b Direct Sequence—was nearly impossible to remember or say.

So they hired the branding agency Interbrand to make something friendlier. The agency came up with “Wi-Fi,” inspired by “Hi-Fi,” which stands for “high fidelity” in the audio world. It sounded cool and familiar.

For a short time, they added the tagline “The Standard for Wireless Fidelity,” but they dropped it because it was confusing and, honestly, just made up.

• Wi-Fi is not an acronym.
  
  
• It’s just a brand name to help people remember wireless networking.
  
  
• Under the hood, it all runs on the IEEE 802.11 standards.
  
  

This bit of branding turned a mouthful of jargon into something everyone knows and trusts. Even if it’s as “real” as any other brand name.

🌐 Wi-Fi vs. Internet connection

It’s easy to say Wi-Fi when you mean Internet or vice versa. But they’re actually different.

• Wi-Fi is your home or office network. It’s the wireless signal that lets your devices connect to your router.
  
  
• The Internet connection is the actual service from your provider. That’s the line that connects your router to the wider world.
  
  

Ever seen the message “Connected, no Internet”? That means your Wi-Fi is working fine, but your Internet connection isn’t. 

Not getting a Wi-Fi signal? Yes, you may roll your eyes at “Have you tried turning it off and on again?” but it is a good first step to get your Wi-Fi working when your Internet connection is up, but your Wi-Fi’s not.

If you’re having problems, check which part is acting up before you start unplugging everything.

⚡ Why you need a Wi-Fi router with fiber Internet

Even if you have fiber Internet, you still need a Wi-Fi router to connect to it wirelessly. Here’s why:

• Fiber line: This is what delivers your Internet service to your state, city, neighborhood and home. From undersea cables between continents to what’s buried next to your mailbox, it’s the tech that carries the Internet.
  
  
• Modem or optical network terminal: This box translates the fiber signal into something your devices can use.
  
  
• Wi-Fi router: This takes the signal and beams it around your home so all your devices can connect.
  
  

No router? You can still use an Internet connection but you’d have to plug in with Ethernet cables. Not exactly convenient for your phone on the couch.

🛜 Choose your own–or add an eero

At Ting, we want you to use the Wi-Fi router that’s right for you. So, we don’t hide a router into your monthly charges–or give you a router that lets your ISP watch what you’re doing online. You can use whatever compatible Wi-Fi router you want.

We trust our customers to choose the system that works for them.

But what about if you don’t already have a router or don’t want to deal with it? We’ll add an eero system for $8/month to your bill for each eero device – each covers about 1500 square feet. If you rent it from us, we’ll be able to troubleshoot your connection all the way to your phone, computer or smart TV, and replace the eero if something goes wrong. Basically, we take care of it for you.

It’s private with secure, encrypted Wi-Fi signals. It helps people make the most of Ting speeds and reliability. Plus, we like eero for all the reasons it gets so much love from ratings and awards: it’s reliable, easy to use, and puts people in control of their own network with the eero app.

⏱️tl;dr:

Wi-Fi doesn’t mean WIreless FIdelity or WIreless Fast Internet (or Where Is Factual Information or anything else you find people joking about online).

Even if it’s officially Wi-Fi, you can call it WiFi, wifi, Wifi, the “802.11b Direct Sequence from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers” or just “my Internet.” Because, really, it’s just a made up name for a technical standard to get your devices connected to your Internet service without having to use ethernet cords.

And all of that? It all just means that it’s easy to make the most of your Internet to connect all the people and devices in your home.