When we need WiFi in our home, the internet service provider always suggests us to buy their ONU and router to install the network to our house.

But why do we need them both?  Some people always mixed these two devices and feel confused.

Here are some points that may help you clear your confusion:

1.       The network signal that we are using is actually from optical signal. “Fiber to the home”, this word is familiar to nearly everyone nowadays, no wonder, fiber is the media to help transmit data via optical signal.

2.       To receive the optical signal in our house, we will need a device that can receive it. That is ONU. It can transform the optical signal to network signal . This is its main job. The simplest ONU is with only 1 Gigabit port, if you use this kind of ONU, for having WiFi, then you will also need a router. Because this simplest ONU doesn’t have WiFi function, only 1 port LAN, which can be used to connect to your computer.

3.       Nowadays , for saving the cost of a router, a ONU can have many different functions: WiFi, CATV port, Telephone port.  A router can help with the coverage distance of the WiFi, but if you don’t have a cruel need of WiFi, an ONU may be enough. Therefore, you don’t need to spend money to buy a router.