Fibre vs. Wireless internet vs WiFi: What’s the Difference?
Choosing the right internet connection can be confusing. Here’s a simple breakdown of Fibre and WiFi to help you decide.
What is Fibre Internet?
Fibre internet uses thin glass cables to send data as light signals. This makes it much faster, more stable, and less affected by interference than older copper cables. It’s great for homes and businesses that need reliable, high-speed internet.
Think of it like the old copper telephone networks. Your fibre connection links your house or business to a massive worldwide physical hard cable network.
A router connected to the physical hard cable network allows a wireless function on your fibre connection.
What is Wireless Internet?
Wireless Internet connects you to the internet through a router with a simcard or radio dish linking to either the cellular network or a wireless internet tower. The “wireless” aspect doesn’t refer to the signal in the property but rather the lack of cable connecting you to a greater network.
So if I have fibre does it mean I have WiFi?
Wel no, but also yes. This is where it gets a little confusing. Technically Wi-Fi just means wireless Internet. In practical terms, it is a facility allowing computers, smartphones, or other devices to connect to the internet or communicate with one another wirelessly within a particular area. While convenient, WiFi speed and reliability depend on your distance from the router, obstacles (like walls), and interference from other devices.
So both the Fibre and Wireless Internet has as a “WiFi” function as the WiFi function is just a wireless connection to the router that is connected to either the hard fibre cable OR a Wireless Internet option like LTE.
Key Differences Between Fibre and Wireless Internet
Reliability & Interference
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- Fibre: Very stable, not affected by electronic interference.
- Wireless Internet: Can be disrupted by weather, electronic devices, and other networks.
Speed & Performance
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- Fibre: Consistently fast, even when many people are using it.
- Wireless Internet: Speed varies depending on distance, congestion on the network, weather conditions and a few other things like signal strength and distance.
- Signal Strength & Distance:
- Fibre: Strong signal over long distances with little loss in quality.
- Wireless Internet: Signal weakens the further you are from the network or with physical obstructions.
Is it expensive?
Not anymore! Fibre prices have dropped and are now competitive with older internet options like ADSL. Many internet providers offer affordable fibre plans with flexible options to suit your needs.
How to Improve Your WiFi Signal and internet experience on the premises.
The location of your WiFi router affects your signal strength, speed, and coverage. Follow these simple tips:
- Place it centrally: Position your router in the middle of your home for the best coverage.
- Elevate it: Keep it on a shelf or mount it on a wall to avoid interference from furniture.
- Keep it clear of obstacles: Avoid placing it near walls, metal objects, or electronic devices like microwaves or cordless phones.
- Minimize interference: Keep it away from other wireless devices and thick walls that could block the signal.
- Interference: Things like walls, metal, and other electronic devices can weaken WiFi signals. Fibre, however, is not affected by these obstacles.
- Attenuation (Signal Weakening): The further a signal has to travel, the weaker it gets. Fibre keeps its strength over long distances, while WiFi loses strength the further you are from the router.
- Speed & Performance: Streaming, gaming, and downloading all rely on a strong internet connection. Fibre provides consistently fast speeds, even during peak hours, while Wireless Internet can slow down due to congestion or interference.
- Over utilisation: If you have too many users or devices linked to the Wi-Fi it will affect the speed. Think of it like a cake, the more slices the smaller each slice.
- Match your line speed to your needs: Activities like streaming and gaming take much more speed than reading emails and Whatsapp calls. Also the more users on the premises the heavier the demand on the line speed.
A well-placed router means stronger WiFi, faster speeds, and fewer dead zones, ensuring a smooth and reliable connection throughout your home.
However, you will always lose a bit of speed over a WiFi. So to get your true speed connect your appliances with a cable to the router where possible. For the purposes of a speed test always use a cable directly into the router. WiFi will not give true speed.