Eli5:Is WiFi an actual physical thing? If no, then how do companies charge money for it? If yes, what is it?
In: Other
Yup, WiFi is information being sent as a light wave to your device’s antenna.
– Your WiFi router lets your devices talk wirelessly.
– Your router then converts that information to another light or electrical signal and sends it down a cable of some type.
– That signal heads to your local hub, which then sends it to other hubs in the world. The signal needs to get boosted and checked for errors along the way, kinda like a car needs to stop at a gas station for maintenance on a long road trip.
– When your signal reaches its destination, it does its thing (like downloads a webpage) and then that server sends information back to you!
All of this happens at a fraction of the speed of light.
All of these cables and devices cost money to make and require electricity to run. There is also code involved to make sure the signal is being sent correct. And your cable provider is negotiating with other companies who also set up and manage this infrastructure elsewhere.
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