[Skip to content](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-help/the-complete-wifi-history#maincontent) [The Signal](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal) - [Speed](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/speed) - [Internet Devices](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/internet-devices) - [Internet Help](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/internet-help) - [All Blogs](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/latest) - [ISP](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/isp) - [Speed](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/speed) - [Internet Devices](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/internet-devices) - [Internet Help](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/internet-help) - [All Blogs](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/latest) - [ISP](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/isp) 1. [The Signal](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal) 2. Category:[Internet Help](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/internet-help) [Internet HelpCategory](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/internet-help) # The Complete Wi-Fi History Published: March 27, 2024 |4 min read You likely use Wi-Fi everyday-so you probably already know [what Wi-Fi is](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-devices/what-is-wifi): something that keeps you connected wirelessly. Pero si eres una persona curiosa, tal vez quieras saber más sobre la historia del wifi, como quién creó la tecnología, cómo funciona y cómo se volvió parte de nuestra vida diaria. Here, we'll take a deeper dive into Wi-Fi's fascinating history and how it has allowed us to stay connected, entertained and informed-at home and on the go.  #### Jump to a Section 1. [What does Wi-Fi stand for?](https://www.t-mobile.com#1) 2. [What is Wi-Fi exactly?](https://www.t-mobile.com#2) 3. [Who created Wi-Fi? Hollywood meets science](https://www.t-mobile.com#3) 4. [When did Wi-Fi become popular?](https://www.t-mobile.com#4) 5. [How does Wi-Fi work in your home?](https://www.t-mobile.com#5) 6. [How is wireless technology changing home internet today?](https://www.t-mobile.com#6) - Share "The Complete Wi-Fi History" on X - Share "The Complete Wi-Fi History" on Facebook - Share "The Complete Wi-Fi History" on LinkedIn ## __What does Wi-Fi stand for?__ Let's start with what "Wi-Fi*"* actually stands for, which many assume is "wireless fidelity" (just like Hi-Fi stands for "high fidelity"). Pero se equivocan. La verdad es que en realidad wifi no quiere decir nada. Un miembro fundador de wifi Alliance lo confirmó en una entrevista. He said they hired a firm to help them market the technology and they chose the term "Wi-Fi" from a list of 10 possible names: > *"We needed something that was a little catchier than "IEEE 802.11b Direct Sequence…So we compromised and agreed to include the tag line "The Standard for Wireless Fidelity" along with the name..."* If you're curious about some of the other options they considered naming it, here are just a few: - Prozac (yes, like the drug) - Compaq - Oneworld - Imation - Vivato ### __What is Wi-Fi exactly?__ Wi-Fi is a way of connecting devices on a [local area network (LAN)](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/isp/ethernet-cables-lan-cables-home-internet). Antes de que existiera wifi, la única manera de conectar dispositivos a Internet era a través de cables individuales, que a menudo resultaban incómodos. By creating an individual Wi-Fi network, users could now connect laptops, phones, smart devices, and any other enabled devices both to each other and the internet within a home or office using a secure network. ### __Who created Wi-Fi? Hollywood meets science__ Like many inventions, multiple people can be credited with the ideation behind Wi-Fi. Interestingly, a 1930s-and-40s Hollywood legend (and self-taught scientist) played a crucial role in the development of Wi-Fi. She received a patent for a "Secret Communications System" that let radio waves jump onto different frequencies in an effort to stop the enemy from jamming the US Navy's radio signals during World War 2. While that alone was not the invention, the concept ultimately led to Wi-Fi. So, how was today's Wi-Fi created? Como hemos dicho, muchas personas participaron en su creación. However, the committee chairperson in the late 1990s, who created the IEEE 802.11 standards we mentioned earlier, is usually credited with the invention of Wi-Fi. ### __When did Wi-Fi become popular?__ Here's a handy timeline that puts it all in perspective: - __1999:__ Six companies form the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WECA). - __2000:__ The organization becomes the Wi-Fi Alliance. Wi-Fi data rates reach up to 11 Mbps. - __2004:__ The first Wi-Fi-certified devices (cell phones, PDAs and TVs) hit the market. The first in-flight Wi-Fi is offered on commercial aircraft. - __2005:__ The term "Wi-Fi" is added to the Merriam-Webster English Dictionary. - __2007:__ Wi-Fi now offers [dual-band](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/isp/what-are-dual-band-wi-fi-routers) operation and 150 Mbps. - __2010:__ Wi-Fi Direct delivers peer-to-peer connectivity. - __2013:__ New standards break the Wi-Fi gigabit barrier. Global hotspots reach 5+ million. - __2016:__ WiGig® brings multi-gigabit performance. - __2017:__ Wi-Fi device shipments reach 20 billion. - __2019:__ Wi-Fi 6 delivers next-gen connectivity as the 30-billionth Wi-Fi device ships. - __2020:__ Wi-Fi 6E is released. - __2021:__ The first Wi-Fi 6E routers and devices became available. - __2023__: Wi-Fi 7 devices start appearing for early adopters. ### __How does Wi-Fi work in your home?__ Wi-Fi links devices to one another so that they are able to quickly and wirelessly share and backup data, print, or perform any other activity that requires a connection. Sin embargo, para bajar información de Internet, una red wifi siempre requiere una conexión a Internet. For home Wi-Fi, that typically meant connecting your wireless network to the internet with a [device called a modem](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-devices/what-is-a-modem), which plugs into the internet depending on what type of service you have-cable, satellite, or fiber. From there, your [router connects to the modem](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-devices/how-to-connect-router-to-a-modem) (in the past, it was usually via ethernet cable) to create one secure network for all your devices. ### __How is wireless technology changing home internet today?__ Massive improvements in wireless technology, including Wi-Fi 6 and beyond, coupled with advances in 5G technology, has people cutting the cord like never before, particularly in the form of [5G home internet](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/how-5g-home-internet-works) service, which now allows you to stream content, play games, and browse the web across multiple devices in your home. If you're a [T-Mobile Home Internet](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet) customer, for example, our Home Internet utilizes a wireless [5G Gateway](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/gateway) that works in tandem with Wi-Fi 6 and is compatible with T-Mobile's nationwide 5G network. Once you [sign up](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/plans), the 5G Gateway is delivered to your home. Sin instalaciones complicadas. Just one cord to plug it in. T-Mobile is America's fastest growing Home Internet provider. [Find out if it's available](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/eligibility) in your area and then [try it out for 15 days](https://www.t-mobile.com/support/home-internet/15-day-test-drive) to see if it works for you. __Sources:__ - [https://boingboing.net/2005/11/08/wifi-isnt-short-for.html](https://boingboing.net/2005/11/08/wifi-isnt-short-for.html) - [https://www.newscientist.com/question/what-does-wi-fi-stand-for/](https://www.newscientist.com/question/what-does-wi-fi-stand-for/) - [https://www.forbes.com/sites/shivaunefield/2018/02/28/hedy-lamarr-the-incredible-mind-behind-secure-wi-fi-gps-bluetooth/](https://www.forbes.com/sites/shivaunefield/2018/02/28/hedy-lamarr-the-incredible-mind-behind-secure-wi-fi-gps-bluetooth/?sh=5ffa29141b79) - [https://www.science-sparks.com/who-invented-wi-fi/](https://www.science-sparks.com/who-invented-wi-fi/) - [https://prologue.blogs.archives.gov/2020/05/26/the-world-war-ii-era-actress-that-invented-wi-fi-hedy-lamarr/](https://prologue.blogs.archives.gov/2020/05/26/the-world-war-ii-era-actress-that-invented-wi-fi-hedy-lamarr/#:~:text=Lamarr's%20path%20to%20inventing%20the,as%20a%20Secret%20Communication%20System.) - [https://beambox.com/townsquare/who-invented-wifi](https://beambox.com/townsquare/who-invented-wifi) - [https://www.wi-fi.org/sites/default/files/public/Infographic\_20\_years\_of\_Wi-Fi.pdf](https://www.wi-fi.org/sites/default/files/public/Infographic_20_years_of_Wi-Fi.pdf) Tags - [Wi-Fi](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/archive/wi-fi) ## Related Articles NEW [Read More](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-help/new-internet-or-transfer-internet-moving) [](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-help/new-internet-or-transfer-internet-moving) [Internet Help](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/internet-help) ## [New Internet or Internet Transfer When Moving: What's Best?](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-help/new-internet-or-transfer-internet-moving) April 22, 2026 NEW [Read More](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-help/home-internet-the-signal-internet-help-wifi-5-vs-wifi-6) [](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-help/home-internet-the-signal-internet-help-wifi-5-vs-wifi-6) [Internet Help](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/internet-help) ## [Wi-Fi 5 vs. Wi-Fi 6: What's the Difference and What Should You Choose?](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-help/home-internet-the-signal-internet-help-wifi-5-vs-wifi-6) March 10, 2026 NEW [Read More](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-connection/self-install-internet) [](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-connection/self-install-internet) [Internet Connection](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/internet-connection) ## [Self-Install Internet: What It Is, How It Works, and Key Benefits](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-connection/self-install-internet) June 16, 2026 ### Find out if your home address is eligible for T-Mobile 5G Home Internet. [Check availability](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/eligibility) Top