About: WiFi (Wireless Internet)
WiFi (also known as Wireless Internet) is a technology that makes it possible for devices to connect to the Internet wirelessly. Your Shaw modem acts as a wireless hub, making WiFi available in your home.
What is WiFi?
WiFi allows your device (i.e. laptop) to be connected to the internet without requiring to be plugged in while you surf the Web. WiFi uses a device called a wireless router to spread the wireless Internet signal throughout your home or office so that you can connect to it with your devices. To use WiFi, your device needs to be WiFi capable. Most laptops, smartphones, tablets, e-readers, and other devices you might take outside of the house are WiFi-ready by default. Desktop computers are often not set up to connect to WiFi by default.
How WiFi works
For WiFi to work a wireless router is required. A wireless router is a device that broadcasts the WiFi signal in your household. The modem that Shaw provides is often referred to as a wireless modem because it functions as a modem that provides wireless router features. WiFi interference occurs in every home, to a varying degree, and is the result of your WiFi signal being weakened or interrupted by other signals and physical obstructions. To learn more, read About: WiFi interference and How To: Troubleshoot your WiFi connection.
WiFi Internet speeds will not be the same as the speeds you can achieve with a wired connection. Speeds can be slowed further by interference, distance between devices and wireless modem, and the number of WiFi connections active in your household. Some older devices may also be limited in the wireless speeds they can attain.
What are Rogers WiFi Hotspots?
Rogers WiFi Hotspots is Canada’s largest WiFi network which provides access for Shaw Internet and Shaw Mobile customers. Stay connected no matter where you are with access to hundreds of thousands of Rogers WiFi Hotspots. Get Started with Rogers WiFi Hotspots and connect your device today. Learn More: About: Rogers WiFi Hotspots
What is WiFi 6 and WiFi 6E?
WiFi 6 (802.11ax) is the latest WiFi standard, The successor standard to WiFi 5 (802.11ac) and before that WiFi 4 (802.11n). WiFi 6E is an extension of of WiFi 6 that makes Tri Band WiFi available for the first time by introducing the 6 GHz WiFi band, to work alongside the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. What are the benefits of WiFi 6? WiFi 6 comes with many benefits including higher data transfer rates, increased capacity for more devices, improved performance, and improved power efficiency. What is WiFi 6E? WiFi 6E is an extended version of WiFi 6, that provides a 6 GHz WiFi band, alongside the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Can I use WiFi 6 with my Shaw Internet service? Yes. Currently the Ignite WiFi Gateway (Gen 2 and Gen 3) support WiFi 6. If you have the Gateway 3.0, you will also have access to the 6 GHz (WiFi 6E) band on compatible devices. How do I know if my device is WiFi 6 compatible? Many new devices (2019 or later) support WiFi 6 including Apple and Samsung smartphones, and the PlayStation 5. As WiFi 6 is a relatively new technology, devices more than a couple years old likely do not support it. We recommend checking your device specifications from the manufacturer to confirm if it supports WiFi 6. This is usually indicated with «ax» being included in the WiFi details for the device. For example, «WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax».
Related readings
Understanding Basic WiFi and Wireless Internet
The terms “WiFi” and “wireless” are often confused when referring to Internet connectivity. Basically these words are synonymous with one another and mean Internet connectivity without wires. WiFi stands for Wireless Fidelity and is used to create a wireless Local Area Network or WLAN that allows PCs to transmit data to one another without the use of cables.
So what exactly is WiFi and wireless Internet and how does it work?
WiFi Defined
WiFi works via radio waves and is a form of two-way radio communication similar to a ham or CB radio. The communication is similar to cell phones since you can send and receive voice and data in a reciprocal form of communication.
WiFi Internet has a relatively simple configuration which consists of a wireless adapter that is connected to your PC. This allows for data conversion to a radio signal which is transmitted via an antenna. A wireless router is added to the configuration to act as a decoder as it forwards the data to the Internet. If someone is sending data to your computer over the Internet the configuration works in reverse.
WiFi and IEEE Standards
WiFi and wireless Internet is commonly referred to as 802.11 which is a standard that is set forth by IEEE or Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and one of the largest technical professional organizations worldwide. IEEE sets the standards for wireless technology and publishes a high percentage of the literature with respect to electrical engineering, computer science, and electronics.
The 802.11 standard which sets different protocols for wireless networking such as 802.11g and 802.11n defines the wireless connection in terms of speed for data transmission. The most popular current standards are g and n with 802.11n being the newest IEEE standard which defines data transmission at speeds of up to 140 megabits per second. This is to accommodate the newer applications such as VoIP and video that require faster data transmission rates in order to function efficiently.
802.11g is still being used and has data transmission rates of 54 megabits per second (Mbps). This is not as fast as 802.11n but still is able to handle some of the more recent applications. The predecessors of these two standards are 802.11a and 802.11b which are not as fast in terms of data transmission since they are earlier standards that were established prior to modern applications such as VoIP and video.
Component Checklist for WiFi and Wireless Internet Connectivity
If you are setting up a WiFi connection in your home or for your business the setup requires common components that make up the infrastructure for the wireless network. If you have more than one computer in your home or business then the main component you will need is a wireless router to convert the signals for data transmission. If you are trying to establish a public access point in your business then you will be simply setting up the configuration to allow other wireless-enabled devices used by your patrons to connect to the Internet. That said here are the basic components you need to setup a wireless network.
- Wireless Router: Companies such LinkSys and others make quality wireless routers that can handle more than one IEEE standard. As a general rule the most recent standards of 802.11g and 802.11n are used when you implement a router into the configuration. The standard coverage for a wireless access point is about 100 feet. If you are installing the network in a large facility it may require a wireless repeater antenna to extend the signal.
- Cable or DSL Modem: The modem is the device responsible for establishing a connection to the Internet. It is typically provided by your cable or DSL Internet Service Provider and acts as the mediator between your PC and your Internet connection. The modem utilizes your telephone lines to access the Internet with an “always on” connection that does not interfere with your telephone service.
- Ethernet Cables: The Ethernet cables help you to setup the connection between the modem, wireless router, and your PC. These are blue cables that have a connection on either end that resembles a telephone connection. To setup a wireless network you will need two of these cables.
- PCI Wireless Card: If your PC is not already equipped for wireless it will be necessary to purchase a PCI card to install in your PC to make it wireless-enabled. A PCI card can be purchased at any electronics or computer retail outlet.
- Installation Software: The modem and the wireless router require installation software for configuration. The modem software is typically installed from a disk that accompanies your modem. The router is generally configured from a web interface with a URL address that is included in the instruction manual.
If you are establishing a public or municipal WiFi connection then you will simply use one hub that connects to the Internet and supplies the connection for multiple users. The hub or wireless access point is made available to users with WiFi enabled mobile devices that automatically find the connection once you have set it up. You supply the connection while the end user worries about making their device wireless-enabled.