Understanding how Wi-Fi and data work
If you are not sure how Wi-Fi and data work, we have you covered with these explanations.
Wi-Fi
What is Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi is a wireless network technology that enables devices to connect to the internet without the use of cables or wires. It operates via radio waves and facilitates the transmission of data between devices, including computers, smartphones, smart TVs, and wireless routers.
What equipment do you need for Wi-Fi?
To use Wi-Fi, you’ll need a few key pieces of equipment:
- A wireless router: This is a device that allows you to connect to the internet wirelessly. It receives data from your internet service provider (ISP) and broadcasts it over the airwaves for your devices to pick up.
- A modem: This device connects your wireless router to your ISP’s network, allowing you to access the internet.
- Wi-Fi-enabled devices: These are the devices you want to connect to the internet wirelessly, such as your computer, smartphone, or tablet.
Data
How does data work with Wi-Fi?
Upon connecting to Wi-Fi, your device utilises radio waves to send and receive data through the airwaves. These waves are transmitted from the wireless router to your device and vice versa. The data is transmitted in packets, which are pieces of information that are subdivided into smaller units for transmission. The wireless router manages the data flow between your devices and the internet, ensuring that the data is transmitted and received efficiently and accurately.
It’s essential to note that Wi-Fi usage can vary based on your online activities. For instance, streaming videos or downloading large files can deplete your data quickly. To avoid this, you can manage your Wi-Fi data usage by setting limits on your device or using data monitoring tools provided by your ISP.
Using data on your mobile phone without Wi-Fi
When you use data on your mobile phone without Wi-Fi, your device uses your cellular network to connect to the internet. Here’s a brief overview of what happens:
- Your mobile device sends a request to the cellular network to access the internet.
- The request is sent to the nearest cell tower, which communicates with your device to establish a connection.
- Your device sends and receives data packets over the cellular network to access the internet.
- The data packets are transmitted between your device and the nearest cell tower, and then between cell towers until they reach their destination (such as a website or app server).
- The data packets are then transmitted back to your device through the same process.
Be aware
Mobile service providers charge you for the amount of data you use when you access the internet via cellular data. This charge is usually reflected in your monthly bill and varies depending on your data consumption. Your activities on your phone, like browsing the web, streaming videos, or downloading files, can influence your data usage.
While cellular data may be useful when you’re not near Wi-Fi, it’s essential to monitor your data usage to prevent exceeding your monthly limit and incurring additional fees. You can keep track of your data usage and set alerts for specific thresholds through the built-in tools available on most smartphones.