Wireless Home Internet vs. WiFi: What’s the difference?
Table of Contents
- What is WiFi?
- What is Wireless Home Internet?
- Wireless Home Internet vs. WiFi vs. Other Internet Connections
- Benefits of Wireless Home Internet
- Future forward
The internet as we know it, is the great global connector. But understanding exactly what it is can be a bit confusing. Especially when you’re used to hearing terms like fiber, satellite, and DSL internet connection. And we’re sure that as of late, the biggest thing you’ve been hearing about, is the push for this thing called “Wireless Home Internet.”
But what exactly do these internet connections even mean? And aren’t they all just variations of WiFi?
Well, in short, no.
What is WiFi?
In simple terms, WiFi is the connected network through which your internet runs. Think about it this way: At one point, every device in your home had to be hardwired, meaning it had to be connected to an Ethernet cord to access the internet. But with the introduction of the WiFi technology, your devices can now have wireless connectivity to the local network – aka your router.
Let’s simplify WiFi
To easily understand this concept, let’s break it down like this: The internet coming into your home is similar to water coming into your house. Just as there are multiple ways for the water to enter, there are multiple ways for the internet to enter. Still following? Ok, let’s keep going.
- So, if internet is the water, think of WiFi as the pipes, and think of each device as a faucet in a different room.
- Each time you turn on a faucet (use a different device), your pipes (WiFi) distribute that water (internet) to that faucet (device).
- But just like the pipes, WiFi can only distribute internet if there is already a connection or source, available.
So, to recap:
- Internet – Like water that flows and can enter in different ways
- WiFi – Like the pipes that help distribute the water to different areas of the home but cannot create the water.
- Devices – Like faucets that receive the water.
What is Wireless Home Internet?
As we said above, wireless home internet, also referred to as WHI, is the water. It’s how the connection gets into your house, but not how it is dispersed. Unlike other forms of connection. Wireless home internet uses cell towers to create a home network for your devices to connect to. You may have also heard it referred to as mobile broadband internet.
Like a hotspot, wireless home internet requires a data plan and a monthly maximum of data you can’t exceed. But here is where hotspots and wireless home internet differ: Speed and bandwidth.
- Speed – Wireless home internet can reach speeds up to 100 Mbps, compared to mobile hotspots, which typically top out at 30 Mbps.
- Bandwidth – While mobile hotspots can only handle up to 10 devices, wireless home internet can support up to 64 devices at once.
The cool thing about wireless home internet? You never have to worry about connectivity. Because it uses cell towers, it automatically connects to the best signal available, meaning you always get the fastest speeds possible.
Wireless Home Internet vs. WiFi vs. Other Internet Connections
Let’s compare wireless home internet, WiFi and other types of internet connections to get a better understanding of the landscape:
| Feature | WHI | WiFi | Satellite Internet | Fiber Internet | Cable Internet | DSL Internet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it does | Brings internet to your home via cell towers | Spreads internet inside your home wirelessly | Brings internet to your home via satellites in space | Brings internet using fiber-optic cables | Brings internet through TV cable lines | Brings internet using telephone lines |
| How it works | Uses 4G/5G cell towers | Uses a router to send signals inside your home | Uses a satellite dish to send/receive signals from space | Uses thin glass cables that send data as light | Uses the same cables as cable TV | Uses old phone lines to deliver internet |
| Needs a router? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Needs a WiFi signal | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Speed | 50-300 Mbps | Doesn’t have a speed (depends on internet source) | 25-250 Mbps | 500-5,000 Mbps (5 Gbps) | 100 – 1,200 Mbps (1.2 Gbps) | 10 – 100 Mbps |
| Reliability | Good, but depends on cell signal | Depends on the internet connection | Can be affected by weather | Very reliable | Reliable, but can slow down if too many people are using it | Slower and outdated |
| Best for | Rural areas or homes without wired options | Wireless connections inside a home | Remote areas with no wired service | High-speed internet needs (gaming, streaming) | Urban and suburban areas | Basic internet browsing |
| Biggest weakness | Can be affected by weak cell signals | Needs an internet connection to work | Weather can cause interruptions | Expensive to install | Can slow down if too many people use it at once | Old technology, slow speeds |
Benefits of Wireless Home Internet
So, you may be wondering: Why choose WHI if it isn’t as fast as fiber? The answer is simple. WHI is the best option for underserved communities and people in rural areas.
Fiber vs. Wireless Home Internet
Internet access in rural areas has always been a major problem. Because it’s so expensive to install fiber or cable internet, providers prioritize densely populated areas where more people can benefit from the service. Meaning people in less populated areas usually have limited options like satellite or DSL, which can be expensive and terribly slow.
On the flip side, no matter where you are, there are typically cell towers nearby. This makes wireless home internet the best way to get the internet speeds you want and need, without having to spend an astronomical amount of money on equipment or cable installation.
And because WHI connects to cell towers, all you need is an electrical outlet and boom— you’re good to go!
Future Forward: Wireless Connectivity
Wireless internet is the future of connecting those who are used to getting the short end of the stick. It’s reliable, cost-friendly, and easy to set up. Whether you’re working from home or want to stream a bit in a rural area with low coverage, WHI has you covered with the flexibility of a cell phone’s hotspot but the reliability of a wired connection — it’s the best of both worlds
And if you’re looking for great coverage with a bit more data to work with, check out EarthLink’s Consumer Max wireless internet plan. With 375 GB per month, our most popular WHI plan is designed for those who run a small business or need the flexibility of a monthly contract internet plan. But if that isn’t your thing, it’s also great for streaming the occasional movie or video calling with family and friends. Call 833-702-3152 to get started today!