WiFi and WLAN are often used synonymously for a wireless network. You can find out where the difference lies in our article..
In everyday parlance you have certainly come across the terms WiFi and WLAN - often even as synonyms. But there is actually a difference. In our tipps + tricks article, we first explain the main differences between the terms and how you as the end user benefit from the technologies.
Even if the two terms are often used synonymously, there is a difference. WLAN is the abbreviation for " Wireless Local Area Network " and stands for a wireless, local network. You can use this technology to connect your devices such as smartphones, tablets and laptops to the Internet without cables. WLAN is the umbrella term for this wireless technology. In contrast to this, WiFi refers to a type of WLAN that stands for an issued certificate according to the IEEE 802.11 standard . In conclusion, every WiFi is a WiFi, but not every WiFi is necessarily WiFi-certified. In detail, WiFi (" Wireless Fidelity "), one of the most common WiFi technologies in use today. WiFi isn't the only WiFi technology on the market, but it's the one you 'll come across most often. The term WiFi was created by an organization called Wi-Fi. Fi Alliance developed, the tests that certify the seamless exchange between products. A product that passes the tests receives the label "Wi-Fi certified" according to the IEEE 802.11 standard . In Germany, the generic term "WLAN" is usually used . Used to refer to a wireless network, but "WiFi" is used in many other countries.
At this point we summarize the definition of both terms for you:
