The purpose of a modem is to facilitate communication between digital devices, such as computers or routers, and internet service providers (ISPs) over traditional communication mediums like telephone lines (DSL modem) or cable television lines (cable modem). Modems convert digital data from these devices into analog signals suitable for transmission over the respective communication lines. Conversely, they also demodulate incoming analog signals back into digital data for reception by the devices, enabling internet access, telephony, and data transmission.
The main purpose of a modem is to establish connectivity between digital devices and ISPs, enabling access to the internet or other network services. By converting digital signals into analog signals for transmission over communication lines and vice versa, modems facilitate data communication over established network infrastructures provided by ISPs, ensuring reliable internet connectivity and access to online resources.
The purpose of a modem differs from that of a router primarily in their functionalities within a network setup. A modem is responsible for establishing and maintaining connectivity between a user’s devices and the ISP’s network infrastructure, handling the conversion of digital signals to analog signals suitable for transmission over communication lines. In contrast, a router manages network traffic within a local area network (LAN), distributes internet connectivity to multiple devices, and provides features such as network security, firewall protection, and Quality of Service (QoS) settings. Routers enable devices within the LAN to communicate with each other and access the internet simultaneously.
You need a modem to connect your devices to the internet or other networks provided by ISPs. Without a modem, your devices would not be able to establish a connection over the communication lines maintained by the ISP. Modems play a crucial role in enabling internet access, telephony services, and data transmission by converting digital data from devices into analog signals for transmission over communication channels, and vice versa.
A modem typically does not provide WiFi (wireless fidelity) by itself. Instead, modems are designed to establish a wired connection between your devices and the ISP’s network infrastructure. However, some modern modems may include built-in wireless capabilities, often referred to as modem-router combo devices or gateways. These integrated devices combine the functionalities of both a modem and a router, allowing them to provide wired and wireless connectivity to devices within a local area network (LAN). If you require WiFi capability, you may opt for a modem-router combo device or use a separate wireless router in conjunction with a standalone modem.