What Does WiFi Stand For?

Nothing.

“Wi-Fi”, Wi hyphen Fi, is a branding term created by Interbrand so that the WiFi Alliance could use the name and logo as the 80.211 interoperability seal and in marketing efforts. The branding effort has been so successful that the term WiFi is synonymous with 802.11 just like “Kleenex”, another invented word, is synonymous with facial tissue paper. Unlike Kleenex, WiFi has functional meaning since it is used to certify the interoperability of wireless devices.

The Wi-Fi Alliance is a global trade association with a mission of enabling the growth of Wi-Fi worldwide. The Wi-Fi Alliance created the term Wi-Fi, which has come to represent a cultural phenomenon. Products which successfully pass the Wi-Fi Alliance testing may use the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED brand. The Alliance tests and certifies the interoperability of wireless LAN products based on the IEEE 802.11 standards.

Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ Makes it Wi-Fi

The certification process is so important that it is virtually impossible to purchase consumer grade equipment that is not Wi-Fi certified.

Since 2000, Wi-Fi Alliance members have certified more than 4,100 Wi-Fi products. Through comprehensive testing, the Wi-Fi Alliance certification program helps to ensure that Wi-Fi products from multiple manufacturers work together.

Wi-Fi Certification assures tested and proven interoperability among Wi-Fi devices. This certification gives users confidence that Wi-Fi products bearing the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ logo have passed rigorous interoperability certification requirements.

Wi-Fi or WiFi?

If want to use the brand correctly then refer to the official style guide. This style guide describes the usage requirements for the trademarks of the Wi-Fi Alliance.

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Filed under: WLAN/WiFi News