Do I Need a Modem if I Have a Router?
You don’t necessarily need a modem or an internet connection to communicate with other devices on a local area network (LAN). As long as you’re connected to a router’s wireless network, you can send data to printers, external drives, and other devices. The main difference between a modem and a router is the modem provides an internet signal. In contrast, the router broadcasts a Wi-Fi signal to allow your devices to communicate wirelessly with the modem (and with each other). A modem is needed to communicate with devices outside of your network via the internet.
How Do I Setup a Router Without a Modem?
The steps for setting up a Wi-Fi router with or without a modem are basically the same: Creating a LAN makes it possible to share files over your Wi-Fi network. For example, if you enable file and printer sharing in Windows, you can store files in your Windows Public Folder so anyone on the network can access them or transfer files directly through OneDrive. There’s also a way to set up file sharing on Macs.
Can I Get Internet Without a Modem?
You’ll need a modem and an ISP to access the internet. You may be able to connect your computer or game console directly to the modem with an Ethernet cable, but you’ll need a router to connect wirelessly. There are also modem-router combination units, which are essentially modems with built-in routers.
Can I Use a Wi-Fi Router and Modem Without an Internet Provider?
While you can use a router without a modem or an ISP, you can’t connect to the web wirelessly without all three. Your options for an ISP are limited based on where you live. If you have the luxury of choosing between internet providers, consider the speeds offered compared to the price.
