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What is wireless broadband?

Wireless broadband – better known as wifi – has come a long way in the past decade, gradually removing the need for Ethernet cables to connect our internet devices. Wireless broadband capability has revolutionised homes and public spaces, allowing for flexibility in how, when and where we access the internet.

The good news is that obtaining a wireless router for your home is easy, as most broadband deals offer wireless broadband as standard.

How does a wireless broadband router work?

Your router is the bridge between your broadband provider and whichever device you want to connect to the internet. 

Your router will receive data from the cable that is plugged into the socket before transmitting it as a wifi signal through an antenna. Your device then receives this signal so you can connect to the internet. 

This process is reversed if you want to upload something, such as a photo or video, to the internet.

Types of wireless broadband connections

When we’re talking about wireless broadband functionality, we’re describing how the router wirelessly connects to the devices in our homes. How the broadband reaches the router is another matter.

Fibre broadband

The most common type of wireless broadband is fibre broadband. It’s available in approximately 97 per cent of the UK and typically provides download speeds of 30 to 75 megabits per second (Mbps).

Officially known as fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC), it uses speedy fibre optic cables to connect the broadband exchange to a street cabinet near your home. The slower copper wires traditionally used for landline phones then connect the street cabinet to your home.

Full fibre broadband

The fastest type of wireless broadband currently available in the UK is full fibre broadband, or fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP).  For example, if you need broadband in London, you can get speeds of more than 3,000Mbps with a full fibre deal from Community Fibre. 

Full fibre is considerably faster than standard fibre because it skips the existing copper network entirely and uses fibre optic cables to connect your home directly to the exchange. 

Full fibre is not available everywhere, however. By the end of 2023, 57 per cent of homes in the country had access to ultrafast broadband – and that number is growing. 

Cable broadband

Cable broadband is a step between traditional copper connections and modern fibre optic, which connects to your router with a hybrid fibre-coaxial cable. Virgin Media is the only major cable broadband provider in the UK that offers speeds of up to 1.13 gigabits per second (Gbps). 

Standard broadband

Standard, non-fibre broadband, is officially known as an Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL). It is significantly slower than cable and fibre broadband, as it uses the copper wires of existing phone lines. With standard ADSL, you can expect speeds of up to 8Mbps; with ADSL2+, those speeds increase to 24Mbps.

4G and 5G mobile broadband

Mobile broadband sidesteps cables entirely and uses the same 4G and 5G data connections you’d use on your smartphone to power a wireless router. If you can’t get fibre broadband in your area but want something faster than ADSL broadband, this type of connection may be an option. For example, EE’s Smart 5G Hub can provide average download speeds of up to 146Mbps – more than six times faster than ADSL2+. 

Satellite broadband

Satellite broadband uses orbiting satellites to connect your router to the internet, but the latency will be significantly higher than you’ll find with most wireless broadband deals. This is because it takes time to send signals into space and back.

What wireless router options are there?

Almost every time you switch broadband providers, you’ll receive a new router. The following are the routers the UK’s biggest providers offer:

• BT: Smart Hub and Smart Hub 2
• Virgin Media: Hub 4 and Hub 5
• Sky Broadband: Hub and Max Hub
• TalkTalk: Wi-Fi Hub

You can also purchase your own wireless router. However, always check with your provider first to make sure it’ll work. Popular models include TP-Link Archer AX55, Linksys Hydra Pro 6 and Asus RT-AX86U. 

Features to look for

If you’re going to buy your own wireless router, be sure to consider these factors:

• Size: a smaller, compact router can be easily positioned for the best internet connection possible without being an eyesore
• Ease of setup: most routers only need to be plugged in. However, if you’re buying a more high-end router, check to ensure you’re confident you can install it yourself
• Gigabit Ethernet port: purchasing a router with a gigabit Ethernet port will give you the flexibility of choosing an ultrafast wired broadband with a more stable connection
• Mesh capabilities: you may want to buy a specific mesh router if you want to create a mesh network to improve the connectivity in your household

6 ways to improve your wireless broadband security

1. Change your default wifi password: your wifi router will come with a default password. Upon initial setup, you should change this to a secure password containing no personal information
2. Turn on network encryption: you should check to see if your router’s encryption settings are turned on. If not, do so. If your router doesn’t support WPA2 encryption, it might be time to replace it
3. Update your router firmware: you should routinely check that your router’s firmware is up to date, and download security patches when they appear
4. Turn on your wifi’s firewall: your router’s firewall is designed to prevent malware and viruses. However, it may not be turned on by default, so ensure that you check the settings
5. Use a VPN: using a VPN encrypts your data and routes it through a remote server, adding a layer of security to your web browsing
6. Create a list of allowed devices: you can create a list of allowed devices that can connect to your wifi network by configuring your router’s access control

Wireless vs wired internet

There are several advantages and disadvantages to consider when choosing a wireless or wired internet connection:

Advantages of wireless broadband

• Convenience: wireless routers can accommodate multiple devices simultaneously without complex installation or cables that run across the room
• Mobility: you can move wireless devices without disturbing physical connections
• Accessibility: wireless broadband can reach areas that a fixed internet line couldn’t easily access
• Community: wireless broadband is significantly more conducive to high-traffic areas, such as cafes and libraries, helping to connect passers-by in a flexible manner

Disadvantages of wireless broadband

• Security: an Ethernet cable is more secure, as it’s easier to hack wireless connections
• Speed: wired connections are faster and more reliable than the radio waves wireless routers emit
• Latency: two-way video calls or PC gaming will need a wired connection to be more stable, with fewer interruptions
• Interference: wifi signals move through the air; therefore, walls, floors or other aspects of your home’s architecture impact them

Setting up wireless internet at home

It’s easier than ever to set up your wireless internet at home.

What you’ll need

All you need to do to set up wireless internet at home is sign up with a provider and wait for its router to arrive. Before you commit to that provider, you can check average broadband speeds for your home address.

If you want full fibre broadband but don’t already have it at your home, you may need an engineer to visit and install it for you. 

Where is the best place to put my wireless router?

It’s crucial to set up your wireless broadband router in a place where it receives cellular data effectively and the connection can be shared with devices around your home. The key thing is to prevent objects from blocking the signals to and from your router, which means you should raise the router above the floor, ideally onto a counter or cabinet, and find a central location where it can reach your disparate rooms and devices.

How to set up wireless broadband in 3 steps

1. Place your router in the optimal location: you’ll want to make sure your router is elevated and not blocked by any large pieces of furniture
2. Plug in your router: your router should be plugged into both the mains electricity and the master socket
3. Connect to your router: you’ll then need to connect to your router using your chosen device. To do so, you’ll need to select your wifi network and input the default password