Data

[Bolitho]

What is the difference between mobile data and wifi data?

Thanks

[Chris_B]

@Bolitho   Mobile data is using the SIM card in the device ( phone/tablet) to gain an internet connection. WiFi is from a router to your device and you access the internet via the router that your device is connected to via the WiFi signal from that router 

[XRaySpeX]

Further to @Chris_B 's explanation :

• When using Mobile data you are using data from EE & therefore eating up your monthly data allowance.
• When using WiFi you are using data from the router which is often at no cost to you. 

[bristolian]

To explain form (yet another) angle...

WiFi & mobile are two different forms of radio.

WiFi is short-range, where your device (needn't even be a phone), talks over a short-distance connection to a router, which is then connected to a broadband connection. WiFi is inherently free, because it's the broadband where charges are incurred.

Mobile is longer-range, where your phone is communicating over the mobile network to the EE "cell-site" network.

[Chris_B]

@Bolitho   And to make it even more confusing you can have a router that gives off a Wi-Fi signal that your device picks up but in that router there can be a SIM card that uses mobile data to to gain access to the Internet.    

[XRaySpeX]

To say nowt about hybrid routers where the fixed home broadband can fallback to mobile broadband or even v.v. LOL! 

[Bolitho]

Thanks all.

I am using my phone as a mobile hotspot to run my laptop and tablet when away from home.

I used to have a separate mini wifi but it seemed silly to pay 2 bills.

[James_B]

Hi @Bolitho,

Both your phone and 4GEE WiFi Mini use the EE mobile network for data. It's just the connection between your 4GEE Mini and laptop that is over WiFi.

Hope this helps.

James