What exactly is WiFi? Why does accessing the internet on my phone without WiFi cost me data while being on WiFi doesn’t?
In: Technology
Wi-Fi is a wireless radio connection between a device and a local wireless router. Being connected to Wi-Fi doesn’t automatically connect you to the internet – the router itself has to be connected to the internet, which requires some sort of internet subscription, usually through some landline connection such as DSL or cable. Places that offer “free Wi-Fi” actually mean that they provide a public Wi-Fi that is connected to the internet.
Accessing the internet through your phone (without wifi) requires an internet connection through your cellular service provider.
Both of these require paying for the internet connection, but a landline connection tends to be cheaper than a cellular connection.
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