3G and Wi-Fi are both wireless access technologies operating in different frequencies and access ranges. You can access the internet with 3G and Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi only can go up to 250 meters and 3G coverage could go beyond Kilometers. Wi-Fi is a personal wireless LAN used in short-range with low setup fees whereas 3G is normally deployed by Mobile operators in voice and wireless broadband networks. Wi-Fi operated in high frequency thus data rate is high so Wi-Fi is much faster than 3G. Now in this article, you can check it out the difference between 3G and Wi-Fi both Internet access providers.
The main difference between them is speed.
The main difference between them is speed.
Difference between 3G and WiFi
- Controlled by: Wi-Fi access is controlled by a Wi-Fi router located at a distance from an access point and 3G is completely controlled and provided by a service provider.
- Signals: Signals of Wi-Fi can be received if the user is present within a range of the router whereas singles of 3G can be received within the network coverage area.
- Network: 3G basically evolved from a voice network where QoS is a critical success factor while Wi-Fi evolved from a data network where QoS is not a critical success factor.
- Licensed: 3G uses licensed spectrum for the device while Wi-Fi uses unlicensed, free, share spectrum.
- Infrastructure: 3G service providers own and manage the infrastructure and customers have a monthly service provider while the Wi-Fi user organization owns the infrastructure and also the usage of a network does not involve an access fee.
- Coverage: 3G has a much larger coverage than Wi-Fi networks.
- Cost: The use of Wi-Fi technology is considered to be less expensive as compared to third-generation (3G) technology.
- Reliability: The 3G network is more reliable than the Wi-Fi network.
- 3G is basically used Voice over IP ( VoIP ) to download software and content, news, download music, personal communication network, etc while Wi-Fi uses offices/campuses, homes, railway stations, airports, factory shop floors, etc.
- Speed: 3G can go up to a maximum speed of 14 Mbits/s and Wi-Fi can go up to 54 Mbits/s. So as compare to 3G networks, Wi-Fi networks are too much faster.
- Stability: 3G frequency is comparatively less stable than WIFI, WIFI frequencies are more stable than 3Gb frequency.
- Installation: Wi-Fi can be easily installed by anyone by setting up a wireless LAN on a computer that has a wireless adapter installed and 3G can only be installed by network provider companies.
- Frequency: The frequencies of 3G network are less secured, but the WIFI frequencies are faster and more secure.
- Pay: There is need to pay to connect to the 3G network, Whereas there is no need to pay to connect to a WIFI network.
- Radio Frequency: 3G transmits data at low frequencies ranging from 850 MHZ to 1900 MHz WIFI transmit data at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHZ frequencies.
- Used: 4G has replaced th 3G network, but Wi-Fi is more used nowadays.
- Cover: 3G covers a long range usually kilometers, whereas WIFI covers a short range.
- Support: 3G supports both data and voice, WIFI just support data.
- Dependability: 3G is more dependable than WIFI, While WIFI is less dependable than 3G.
However, looking at their similarities and difference, in a nutshell, we can say that both 3G and Wi-Fi have been contributing to the growing telecommunication sector and proved to be very important for Internet and mobile telephone services.
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