WLAN is the abbreviation for Wireless Local Area Network, which refers to all wireless local area networks, while Wi-Fi is a standard within the wireless local area network, specifically the 802.11 standard (the purpose of establishing this standard is to allow devices from different manufacturers to interconnect and be compatible with each other). Therefore, it can be said that Wi-Fi is a type of WLAN that meets specific standards (currently, almost all wireless local area network devices on the market conform to this standard, including 802.11b, 802.11g, etc.).
Before 2009, domestic smartphones in China could not have Wi-Fi. Why? On one hand, it was for the three major telecom operators, and on the other hand, it was to promote the WAPI protocol.
Once a device had Wi-Fi, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology would not conduct network access testing.
Therefore, smartphones entering the domestic market at that time had to have their Wi-Fi functionality removed.
In 2009, in order to better promote WAPI, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology lifted the restrictions; if a smartphone supported both WAPI and Wi-Fi, it could access the network. In other words, for a smartphone to retain Wi-Fi when sold in China, it had to also support WAPI. The iPhone retained the Wi-Fi function, which also meant it provided WAPI access functionality.
As a result, smartphone manufacturers used the term WLAN as a general term.
On the other hand, the iPad, introduced as a computer, had no restrictions regarding Wi-Fi. Therefore, it could freely use the names WLAN or Wi-Fi.
Here’s the licensing information for the iPhone 4s.
The Meizu M8, which avoided the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s restrictions under the guise of a public beta version, was one of the first domestically produced smartphones to actually have Wi-Fi functionality. Of course, it required the installation of a “third-party” patch to unlock the blocked Wi-Fi module.
Of course, since all released smartphones must support the WAPI protocol, even without any practical use. The “WAPI Industry Alliance” still profits through certification from smartphone and chip manufacturers.
On May 31, the “WAPI Industry Alliance” announced in Beijing that it would conduct interoperability testing and certification for wireless local area network products that comply with the GB15629.11 series and related standards. It also stated, “This certification is an effective supplement to the compliance testing and certification of existing national administrative management departments, filling the gap in interoperability and compatibility testing/certification of domestic wireless local area network products.
↑↑↑Press and hold fingerprintto recognize the QR code to follow↑↑↑
↑↑↑Press and hold the QR code to alsorecognize the QR code to follow↑↑↑
For those who enjoy this article, please like it at the bottom of the page
!