Digital life
Wi-Fi
The wireless link near you is only one part of being online.
Wi-Fi uses radio to connect devices to a local network. An Internet connection carries communication beyond that local network.
A closer look
The picture, in three parts.
Radio
A device communicates wirelessly.
Local network
An access point connects it to a network.
Beyond
A working upstream connection can provide Internet access.
Where could this take you next?
Sources & further reading +
Short explanations, grounded in published sources. Follow the originals for depth and context.
Sources checked: 10 September 2026. Visuals are illustrations, not documentary evidence.
Our approach to sources and corrections