Understanding the Difference Between WLAN and Wi-Fi

What is the difference between Wi-Fi and WLAN?

WLAN, also known as wireless local area network, includes both WAPI and Wi-Fi as internet access methods, equivalent to the wireless network card in a phone, with a signal range covering up to 5 kilometers. (According to regulations by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, all domestic phones must possess a domestic communication equipment network access license and must support both WAPI and Wi-Fi technology.) WLAN is typically used in broader areas, such as schools, airports, and other public spaces.

On the other hand, Wi-Fi is one of the technologies under the WLAN network. Similar to Bluetooth, Wi-Fi is typically generated by routers, wireless network cards, or wireless APs, and is mainly used in smaller areas such as homes and offices.

Both Wi-Fi and WLAN are methods for mobile internet access. Wi-Fi is a technology under the WLAN network, but conversely, not all WLANs are Wi-Fi. Currently, whether on an iPhone or an Android phone, regardless of whether the wireless network is labeled Wi-Fi or WLAN, it connects to the WLAN through Wi-Fi, and the effect is identical.

Why do the same model phones have different names?

The reason is that as long as it is a domestic version, it will be called WLAN or wireless local area network, while non-domestic versions (such as Hong Kong, American versions, commonly referred to as “grey market”) will be referred to as Wi-Fi.

This issue involves the wireless local area network protocol for self-service intellectual property that China began promoting in 2003—WAPI.

WAPI, short for Wireless Local Area Network Authentication and Privacy Infrastructure, is a security protocol and also a mandatory standard for wireless local area network security in China.

At the end of 2003, China planned to implement the WAPI standard but faced resistance from companies like Intel and even the U.S. government.

It wasn’t until June 2009 that WAPI was first agreed upon by members from over ten countries, including the U.S., U.K., and France, to be promoted as an international standard in an independent text form. (This means it can be standardized, but we won’t use it).Compared to Wi-Fi, although WAPI has better security, due to various commercial and political reasons, it has not been able to gain international promotion, and this standard has nearly become a nominal existence, causing China to lose its voice in this area.

In addition to substantial patent fees, Wi-Fi is ultimately an American standard, and its security cannot be guaranteed.

In 2010, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology mandated that all phones sold in mainland China (also known as domestic versions) must support both Wi-Fi and WAPI technologies for accessing WLAN networks.

This means that whether you use Android or Apple, as long as it is a genuine domestic version, the name of the wireless network will definitely be 【WLAN】 or 【wireless local area network】.

In contrast, non-domestic communication devices (commonly referred to as grey market) or tablets (in cases where a network access license is not required), the network name in settings will uniformly display as Wi-Fi.

If you bought a genuine product but it displays as Wi-Fi, then you definitely bought a grey market product, and chances are the dealer has ripped you off at the price of a genuine product, and it might even be a refurbished device.

However, it should be noted that grey market does not mean counterfeit; it refers to non-mainland domestic versions sold in places like Hong Kong, Japan, and the U.S.