Wi‑Fi
What is Wi‑Fi?

Wi-Fi (often incorrectly written as wifi or WiFi) is actually not an acronym. The Wi-Fi Alliance coined the term based on the IEEE 802.11 standard. It defines the protocols that enable communications over wireless routers and access points and is continuously updated to respond to increased demands on the network.

Two employees in a warehouse.
  • Wi‑Fi connectivity explained
  • What are Wi‑Fi access points (Wi‑Fi APs)?
  • What is 802.11?
  • What is Wi‑Fi Certification?
  • What are the key Wi‑Fi use cases?
  • How can I secure my Wi‑Fi network?
  • Wi‑Fi new technology adoption
  • Wi‑Fi trends
Wi‑Fi connectivity explained

Wi‑Fi connectivity explained

Wi-Fi connectivity allows Wi-Fi devices like laptops, cellular phones, sensors, and equipment like printers and video cameras to interface with the internet via a wireless router or access point, between APs (mesh), or between client devices (ad hoc). Wireless routers are typically found in homes, provided by your cable/internet provider, and combine the capabilities of a router with a wireless access point.

IEEE classification

802.11 amendment
IEEE clasifications for 802.11
Wi-Fi alliance name

a, g

Non-HT (Non-High Throughput)

None

n

HT (High Throughput)

Wi-Fi 4

ac

VHT (Very High Throughput)

Wi-Fi 5

ax

HE (High Efficiency)

Wi-Fi 6

ax in 6 GHz

HE (High Efficiency)

Wi-Fi 6E

be (Future)

VHE (Very High Efficiency)

Wi-Fi 7

Related topics

Wi‑Fi 6E

Wi‑Fi 6

Access Point

Private 5G