The starkest difference between the two is the medium of communication. The standard or conventional communication system uses wires or a physical transmission medium to transmit information or signals. The wireless communication system uses radio waves for communication and exchange of information.
Standard Communication Systems (SCS) provide the least mobility to the user. The devices are connected to the network with the help of cables and hence they could be used till the distances which are allowed by the physical setup of the network.
The Wireless Communication System (WCS), on the other hand, provides a lot of mobility to its users. The devices could be used anywhere within the range of the wireless signals. This provides flexibility and increases the productivity of an organization that is using the WCS.
SCS are lesser complicated than the WCS when it comes to installation and fixing. The SCS may have initial complexities than a WCS due to a large number of cables to be installed, especially if the installation is throughout a multi-storeyed building. Also, its maintenance may be a bit tedious as the cable and supporting infrastructure requires periodic checks. On the other hand, a WCS may be difficult to establish in the initial phase. It may need an expert for its maintenance and troubleshooting.
The SCS is costly than the WCS. The SCS requires a number of cables to be installed. The setup may become a complex task depending on the place where it is to be done. In the case of SCS, the cable, its supporting infrastructure, the team of workers to install such cables, increases its costs. On the other hand, in WCS there are no such hassles and it becomes relatively cheaper to install such systems.
The SCS is more reliable as compared to a WCS when it comes to quality, speed, and security. The SCS may provide speed in up to 1000 Mbps which is fairly high as compared to a WCS system. Also, the SCS is more secured than WCS. A WCS is prone to security loopholes and system vulnerabilities which might lead unauthorized persons to access and exploit such networks.
The reliability and bandwidth offered by an SCS make it an ideal candidate for office like settings. An office, a laboratory, or a big organization located in a building may need faster and reliable network connections to share data and resources in bulk. In the settings of a home, where not very high data speeds may be needed and a lot of peripheral wireless devices could be used, the WCS is sufficient for use.
However, nowadays even wireless networks are in demand in offices due to the mobility and flexibility provided by such devices to the employees. Wireless systems are easy to install and use, they could be easily connected to or disconnected from, hence their popularity.
Also read…
- What is Storage Area Network(SAN)?
- What is Wide Area Network, Advantages of WAN, Disadvantages of WAN
With the increase in the number of mobile devices, the hotspot is another term now much in use. In the case of a WCS, a hotspot is a place where internet services are provided to a lot of users at the same time. Usually, these places are airports, railway stations, schools, university campuses, etc. Such systems allow the end-users to roam within the premises and use free internet services. But in the case of an SCS, an internet facility is available only through a wire. There is no concept of a hotspot in the case of an SCS.
SCSs provide a better quality of service as compared to a Wireless Communication System (WCS). Since the devices are directly connected to a network in an SCS, the quality of service is good. In WCS, on the other hand, the devices connected are prone to interference and noise.
The devices need to be located at a certain distance from the source of such networks in order to efficiently exchange information. If the distance is increased, then the signal strength, operational speed decreases thereby reducing the quality of service offered under such networks.
Download Difference between Standard and Wireless Communication System in pdf – Click here