[TonyTone]

Just curious ... but I'm not too sophisticated in my tech knowledge. Could someone please explain to me - IN LAYMAN'S TERMS - why I might need WiFi when I have a data plan over a 3G network.

I'm not really interested in VoIP calls, so an explanation of that won't be necessary.

I hear that to save the battery it would be a good idea to turn the WiFi off when you're not using. The problem is ... I have no idea when I'm using it nor why.

Please explain.

[MidnightDraven]

Do you have a wi-fi router at home and use wireless internet in your house?
If you do, then wi-fi on your blackberry can be configured to use that internet to get slightly faster web browsing, or to save on data if you are on a limited plan.

In Manage connections there is a wi-fi box, check it and you can connect to your wi-fi, uncheck it and your using your data plan via 3G.

You can see from the home screen if you are using wi-fi, there is a wi-fi symbol in the right top hand corner, and the name of your wireless router will be after your network name i.e. AT&T - YourWifi

[knottyrope]

Originally Posted by TonyTone

why I might need WiFi when I have a data plan over a 3G network..

SPEED, VROOOMMMMMM

oh and to save battery life since it is more effecient with large amounts of data.

[Motorcycle Mama]

You might also want to use WiFi if you are somewhere that you are getting limited network coverage (ie rural areas, buildings with thick, impenetrable walls, basements, etc).

[Dubdub]

I use WiFi at home because I have a really poor signal from AT&T. WiFi gives me the data connection which I tend to use more than voice anyway.

[FRIENDinDEED]

ok im new to the site and also have a wifi realted Q: so once i turn my wifi on then it automatically uses the my wifi connection? i wont have to turn off the at&t connection at all?

or shoudl i turn the mobile network off and turn the wifi on, or can i just leave them both on and the phone will automatically use the wifi connection?

i dont know how fastthings get updated around here so i'll check back periodically until i get a better feel for the site and how quickly things run.

alll the same any/all help is greatly appreciated

[MidnightDraven]

Yes, it will use wi-fi. No you don't have to turn off mobile network.

[DallasFlier]

Originally Posted by MidnightDraven

Do you have a wi-fi router at home and use wireless internet in your house?
If you do, then wi-fi on your blackberry can be configured to use that internet to get slightly faster web browsing, or to save on data if you are on a limited plan.

MD, I have to take issue with one thing you said. You'll most likely see a lot more than "slightly faster" web browsing using WiFi vs the AT&T 3G network. A quick google search yielded this:

For AT&T’s current HSPA system, the company claims range from 700 Kbps to 1.7 Mbps downstream, and 500 Kbps to 1.2 Mbps upstream.

Now, different people have different home/business internet service, so comparisons can vary. In my case, I have 12Mbit cable internet, and as expected from the above numbers, my web browsing and other data usage on my Torch is SIGNIFICANTLY and very noticeably faster on WiFi than on the 3G cell network (with a good cell signal at my house.) Unless you have a very slow home internet connection, the difference you'll see will be more than "slight."

[MidnightDraven]

And it also depends on what you actually get on your network [not what they say you get] and what network.

I was being general.

[DallasFlier]

Originally Posted by MidnightDraven

And it also depends on what you actually get on your network [not what they say you get] and what network.

Yes, most definitely true.

Originally Posted by MidnightDraven

I was being general.

I was too. In general, you will see SIGNIFICANTLY faster web/internet performance with WiFi compared to 3G cellular network.