When we set up a WiFi network at home, two devices are indispensable: one is a wireless router, and the other is a modem or optical modem (ONT).
And the latter is indispensable (except for fiber-to-the-building users). It is the device that brings the internet into the home, and with it our wireless router can do its job, letting us access the internet normally over WiFi.
Only when these two devices work together can we watch videos, play games, and make video calls online…, bringing the joys of the internet to us.
Many users cannot tell the difference between these two devices, so today let’s explain it!
Home Networks Cannot Do Without These Two Devices
A modem or optical modem is an indispensable device for internet access and is generally provided by the broadband carrier.
It connects to the device via a telephone line or fiber, and the device is then connected to the wireless router with a network cable.
China is now vigorously promoting fiber broadband. Using a modem over a telephone line has become obsolete, and fiber and optical modems have become the main force for internet access.
In addition, if the user lives in a residence built in recent years, the carrier generally brings fiber to the building, and the user can simply connect a wireless router to the network port on the wall at home to enjoy high-speed broadband.
Wireless Routers Are a Must in Every Home
Let’s look at the wireless router. Everyone is surely more than familiar with this device.
With the rapid rise of mobile devices, wireless routers have entered millions of households and become the ‘standard appliance’ in every home.
Without WiFi at home, one simply loses the motivation to go home! To solve the WiFi signal problem at home, many users have chosen products such as wireless repeaters and powerline adapters.
The recently popular wireless mesh network products are another good solution for home wireless signal coverage, and are more powerful and simpler than traditional repeater methods.
Optical Modems Are Gradually Replacing Modems
Some users may ask: why do we need two devices? Wouldn’t it be better to combine the two into one?
That’s right. Many carriers now provide optical modems with built-in wireless router functions when installing broadband for users. In this way, users need only one device to handle both internet access and WiFi transmission. However, such products have relatively low WiFi performance. If you are a router enthusiast, have many home-connected devices, or use smart home devices, you should buy a separate mid-to-high-end wireless router that supports dual gigabit networks. After all, such products are only suitable for entry-level users, and cannot perform well for tasks such as watching videos on the wireless LAN or transferring data to a NAS.
