It often surprises even seasoned internet users to hear that Wi-Fi and the internet are two very different things. If you’re interested in learning more about the connection that lets you do some early Christmas shopping on Amazon or post the last family reunion photos on Facebook, you’ve come to the right place! Kosciusko Connect is here to help with all things internet-related. This is your guide to Wi-Fi versus internet, and why it matters to your daily online connection.

Making the Distinction Between Wi-Fi and Internet

Imagine a long waterway, stretching from coast to coast across the Atlantic. The water is deep and clear, easy to cut through with the right boat and enough fuel. But how would you choose to cross it?

Your trip across the Atlantic represents your access to and experience on the internet.

Here’s where the difference between the internet and Wi-Fi comes into play: The internet is the waterway itself, providing a link between all continents and islands as if they are computers and other devices that need the internet to communicate.

Wi-Fi is a boat you take across the water – it facilitates your access to the internet’s network, but not every boat is as equipped or efficient as the next.

The internet, or the waterway, is open to any device, but the quality of your boat matters. Just like with Wi-Fi selections, the cost often depends on the reliability and speed of your boat.

If an ordinary Wi-Fi connection is a limited boat that is easily challenged by high waves and long journeys, think of fiber as the sleek upgrade. Speed boats have the best, most reliable momentum through the water, and they’ll get you where you need to go efficiently. The one difference between fast fiber and speed boats is that the boats are notorious for their expense, and Kosciusko Connect’s fiber connection is affordable and worth every penny.

How you connect to the internet is up to you, but having fiber installed in your home means a real, trustworthy connection to the internet for your whole home.

A Little About Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi was invented in 1997 by Vic Hayes as a wireless technology that sends and receives signals in a network of nearby devices to provide access to the internet. Back in the day, devices typically used ethernet cables to connect to the internet, but now, most homes use Wi-Fi, which is transmitted from a router without needing a plugged-in connection. Each Wi-Fi signal has a “bubble,” or a certain area where it expands. Any device in range of the bubble can connect to the Wi-Fi signal, but every additional passenger on a boat makes it a little slower, which is why your Wi-Fi settings are yours to control and your network is passcode-protected.

The difference fiber makes in this process is dramatic and easy. Switching to fiber is a smooth transition, and it doesn’t matter nearly as much how many devices are online. Fiber’s speed boat can carry many passengers at various speeds that you can choose from, depending on your home’s needs. Just like a boat, Kosciusko Connect’s fiber connection also has different features, tools, and add-ons to ensure you get the experience you need for a great online experience.

One of these features is Guardian, which provides you with network security and parental controls. Keeping your kids safe while they’re on a speed boat is a must, and Guardian allows you to monitor and limit what they can access online. Check out Guardian’s capabilities.

You can also use a mesh extender to give you an even wider bubble, expanding your Wi-Fi network outward to every corner of your house. Learn more about our Wi-Fi extenders.

Kosciusko Connect wants to connect you to the most reliable Wi-Fi “speedboat” possible. Fiber internet connection makes a real difference in your life online, and it’s easy to get started! To check your availability for our internet service, take a look at our fiber internet map.