Difference between Wi-Fi and Cellular Network
You must have familiar with the term Wi-Fi and cellular data. These terms are used in the field of internet connections. Many times we get confused about these two things. We can use Wi-Fi and cellular data coverage in conjunction to make the most of your mobile plan. We can essentially utilise the Internet wirelessly with a data plan or a Wi-Fi network. While certain gadgets, such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6, have Wi-Fi, 3G, and 4G LTE access, others, such as 4G LTE cellphones, just support Wi-Fi. A data-enabled smartphone provides you the best of both worlds quick, safe access to the content you need while on the go and considerable versatility on overall data consumption depending on how much and where you use the Internet.
What is Wi-Fi?
It represents nothing, which is ironic. Wireless fidelity does not exist, despite the fact that Wi-Fi is sometimes spelled as Wi-Fi, wi-fi, or wifi. A marketing firm coined the term while the wireless industry was looking for a user-friendly word to describe some not-so-user-friendly technology known as IEEE 802.11. The name has also survived. Simply put, a Wi-Fi network is a wireless router-based internet connection that allows multiple devices in a home or business to connect to the internet. The router, which is directly connected to your internet modem, acts as a hub to distribute the internet signal to all of your Wi-Fi-enabled devices. This gives you the freedom to stay online as long as you're within your network's coverage area. Wi-Fi uses radio waves to transmit data from ones Wi-Fi router to your Wi-Fi-enabled gadgets, like your TV, smartphone, tablet, and computer. Because they exchange data over radio waves, one’s devices and private details are susceptible to cyber-attacks, and other threats. This is especially true if you connect to a public Wi-Fi network in a public place such as an airport or a coffee shop. It's ideal for connecting to a password-protected wireless network or a personal hotspot when possible.
What is a Cellular Network?
A cellular network is a radio network that is spread out over land in the form of cells, each of which has a base station that is permanently installed. Together, these cells offer broader geographic radio coverage. Therefore, even when the user equipment (UE), like a mobile phone, is moving through cells during transmission, communication is still possible. Cellular networks provide subscribers better benefits than earlier options, such as higher capacity, reduced battery consumption, a larger geographic coverage area, and fewer signal interference. General packet radio service, 3GSM, code division multiple access, and the Global System for Mobile Communication are examples of prevalent cellular technology. Coverage ranges from nine to twenty-one miles for a standard cell site. When a call is placed from a mobile phone, the base station is in charge of analysing the strength of the signals. The signal strength may decrease as the user leaves the base station's geographic coverage region. The occurrence known as handover might result in a base station asking the MSC to give control to another base station that is getting the strongest signals without informing the subscriber. Environmental disruptions like a moving tower crane, overhead power lines, or the frequencies of other devices frequently occur in cellular networks.
Difference between Wi-Fi and Cellular Network in Tabular Form
Key | Cellular Networks | Wi-Fi Networks |
Data Plans | There is a limit on how much data can be used on mobile devices. | There are no such restrictions or limitations on how much data can be used using Wi-Fi. |
Internet Access | Mobile phones and other devices connect to the internet via cellular signals to form the basis of cellular networks. | Radiofrequency waves are used by Wi-Fi to give connected devices high-speed internet access. |
Range | The availability of network range is a need for cellular networks. | Wi-Fi's range is constrained. |
Speed | In comparison to Wi-Fi, mobile phone network access speed is typically poor. | When compared to a cellular network, Wi-Fi is far faster. |
Standard | Mobile phone-based cellular networks employ networks dispersed over a large geographic area. | Wi-Fi is an IEEE 802.11-compliant wireless networking technology. |
Technology | Cellular communication uses a technology called mobile technology. | The Wi-Fi standard can be used by a device to transmit and receive data. |