I recently moved into a remote area of Florida where wired internet options are limited, and my home doesn't have an Ethernet connection. I'm trying to understand the basics without getting buried in technical jargon: Do I need to buy internet service first, then purchase a router separately? Is Wi-Fi a service by itself, or does it come from the equipment provided by the internet company? I'm considering Starlink because local and cellular providers may not serve my address, but I'm open to other options. I'd also like to understand what equipment gets installed and how the internet connection turns into wireless Wi-Fi throughout the house.
4 Answers
The thing you need to purchase is an internet connection, not “Wi-Fi” or Ethernet service. An internet provider connects your home to the wider internet using cable, phone lines, cellular signals, or satellites. They’ll usually provide or install a gateway, which is a box that acts as both the internet connection and the Wi-Fi router. You connect your phone, laptop, or TV to the wireless network shown on the label, then change the default password if you want.
If Starlink is available at your address, it generally includes the outdoor satellite equipment and an indoor router, with a monthly service plan. You would need a clear enough view of the sky for the dish, a place to mount or set it up, and electricity. Before ordering, compare the equipment fee, installation options, monthly price, expected speeds, data limits, and weather-related performance with any wired or cellular choices.
Ethernet and Wi-Fi are only ways for devices near you to communicate with your home network. They don’t connect your house to the rest of the internet by themselves. Ethernet uses a cable, while Wi-Fi uses a short-range wireless signal, usually from the router. You can have internet service even if your home has no Ethernet wall jack; the provider may install a coaxial cable, fiber connection, cellular receiver, or satellite dish instead.
Your main options are usually a local cable provider, a telephone or fiber provider, home cellular internet from companies such as Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile, or satellite internet such as Starlink. Since you’re in a remote part of Florida, check every provider using your exact address and ask nearby residents what they use. The availability checker from the Federal Communications Commission’s broadband map can also show which providers report coverage in your area.
That makes a lot more sense. I was treating internet, Wi-Fi, and the router as three separate services, so I’m going to ask providers exactly what connection and equipment they include.