Why does connecting to a wifi take so long while connecting with mobile data is basically instant?
In: Technology
If you turn your mobile data off and turn it back on you will notice its not actually instant.
I’m not sure if its as noticeable on GSM phones as it is on CDMA phones due to different radio technology, but if you put your phone in airplane mode and then turn it off. You will see it reconnect in stages. At first you will have a cell signal that you can make calls and text on but you won’t have a data connection yet and then you will see LTE connect after a second or 2.
Both wifi and mobile data have to take time to start up an initial connection. Your mobile data will mostly stay connected all the time, where wifi will disconnect when you leave its range. That’s where you will notice wifi has to reconnect again where your mobile data has been connected in the background.
Mobile is essentially an always on technology. Typically when connecting to WiFi you need to authenticate, get a dhcp address, etc… which can take a bit of time.
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