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Wireless broadband

Wireless broadband, also known as WiFi, simply means broadband without the wires.

To access the internet in your home without the need for cables everywhere, you'll need a wireless router. Once you've got one of these installed, you can access the web anywhere within its range from any WiFi enabled device.

Key points

Routers for home broadband almost always come with WiFi capability as standard
Your WiFi experience depends on a number of factors, including router placement
An unsecured WiFi network is a security risk and could lead to slower broadband

What does wireless refer to?

When we talk about wireless, we usually mean a way to get internet on your device without plugging it into anything. That could be at home or through a public WiFi connection - for example, in a cafe or on the train

Wireless Routers

Your broadband provider will almost always send you a free router when you switch to them, and these have WiFi capability as standard. Our friends at Tom’s Guide have some advice on buying your own router (although it’s a bit US-focused) and if you’re interested in tech there’s nothing to stop you upgrading to better hardware. But the vast majority of people stick with the free router.

If you’re having ongoing internet problems, your provider should at some point send you a new router. This will either rule out the router as a possible cause or - hopefully - fix the problem. If slow speeds are the issue, check out our advice on boosting your broadband speed before you get in touch with your provider.

Which providers offer the best WiFi deals?

To find the best broadband deal for you, it pays to compare. Go.Compare works with 29 trusted partners¹ and the deals on offer are updated regularly. Just put your address into our postcode checker to see what’s available in your area.

How to choose the best wireless broadband for you

Most people want the fastest possible internet for the lowest possible price, but there are other factors to consider.

Do you want just broadband or other services like a landline or digital TV?
Can you commit to a 24-month contract (which is often cheaper per month) or do you need more flexibility?
Has the full fibre rollout reached your area yet or are you limited to a slower hybrid or ADSL connection?
How do the providers compare for customer service?

Our quick comparison tool lets you see the options for your area and quickly sort by price and speed.

What broadband speed do I need?

As technology improves, top speeds are getting faster. A growing number of places have access to gigabit-capable broadband - that is, broadband offering speeds of 1,000Mbps or more. But you don’t have to go for the highest speed possible. You’ll get better value for money by working out what broadband speed you actually need. Our bandwidth calculator can help with that.

If your current WiFi setup feels sluggish, check what speeds you’re actually getting with our broadband speed test. It could be much slower than the speeds your provider is advertising - if so, you need to find out why.

Is wireless better than wired?

Wireless broadband allows you to access the internet from any location in your home or on any device. So wireless gives you more freedom than a wired connection could. However, it may not offer the same speeds or stability as a wired connection would - this is something you’d need to consider if you require a high level of performance from your internet. For example, you won't get the maximum speeds from gigabit broadband through a WiFi connection.

Looking to switch your internet provider? Compare broadband deals today.

Benefits of wireless internet

The router you got from your home broadband provider should have WiFi capability as standard. That’s great because:

You don’t have to worry about plugging in (and tripping over) cables
You don’t need to get a line extension put in to use the internet in different parts of the house
Lots of different devices can share the same connection (provided you have enough bandwidth)
WiFi is a mature technology - it’s been around for 25 years² and it keeps improving. Devices usually “remember” WiFi passwords and connect automatically after the first time

What additional addons can I get?

You might choose to get your broadband deal:

Bundled with a landline service
As part of a TV and broadband package

Some providers may offer extra incentives like free gifts with their broadband deals.

If your actual broadband connection is fine but you’re having trouble getting the WiFi signal to some parts of your home, ask your provider if they can offer anything to help with this. The answer might be a more powerful router or a separate piece of tech to boost the signal. There might be a charge for this - but you could always try haggling.

What about wireless broadband security?

If you’re not an IT or security professional, there are basically just two types of WiFi security issue you need to worry about:

Someone accessing your home WiFi network without permission
Someone using your connection to a public WiFi network to do something bad - like stealing your data or infecting your device

Securing your home WiFi network

Your home WiFi network should be secured as standard. The first time you connect to it, you should be asked for a security key. If you’re not asked to type in a key, then the network is not secured and it will be possible for strangers to connect to it.³

Some sources advise you to change your WiFi password from the default given by your broadband provider. Changing your password from the default is sound advice in almost every context, but with WiFi routers the default password tends to be a randomly generated string of letters and numbers that’s different for every router. Changing it to something that’s meaningful to you - like a pet’s name - might make it easier to remember, but it also makes it easier to guess than before.

So the default password is usually more secure, unless there’s a reason for thinking that people might know it - for example, if the router is on a windowsill where anyone passing by can see the password printed on it.

Staying safe on public WiFi

Connecting to WiFi networks in public places carries a risk. If the network you’re connecting to is unencrypted, hackers can see the information you’re sending over it.⁴ So they can see your login information for whatever sites you’re visiting. There are a number of ways that criminals can steal your data when you choose to use public WiFi, so:

When it’s at all possible, use your own mobile data plan rather than public WiFi
Don’t use public WiFi for tasks like online banking
If you have to connect to public WiFi, make sure you’re connecting to the intended network - criminals can set up rogue access points, or “malicious hotspots” with very similar names to the one offered by a genuine business
Don’t assume that WiFi is secure just because you trust the business offering it - your train company or favourite cafe doesn’t necessarily have good information security
Check your settings and turn off any “automatic connection” options

WiFi Protected Access (WPA)

WPA is a group of security measures for wireless broadband. (It’s short for WiFi Protected Access.) If you want to know which kind your home WiFi uses, click the WiFi settings on your device and then select Properties. The security type will probably be WPA2, which is the most common standard in 2025. If it just says WPA, that could be a sign you’ve been with your provider for too long and it’s time to sign up for a new home broadband deal.

FAQs

What's the best location for a WiFi router?

Your router’s job is to send WiFi signals to your devices. So the best position for it is a place with nothing blocking it. This means it should be off the ground, not behind any furniture and definitely not in a cupboard.

WiFi routers designed for home use usually don’t have their own power supply (unlike mobile WiFi hotspots) so you’ll probably have to plug yours into a wall socket and this will limit your choice of position.

Windowsills are a popular place for people to put their routers, but they’re not ideal because of the potential exposure to heat and condensation.

How do I set up my wireless router?

Setting up your home WiFi is easier now than it’s ever been. Your broadband provider will send instructions for getting started, so follow them.

Can I get wireless fibre broadband?

Yes. Although fibre broadband is delivered to your home through physical cables, the router converts it into a WiFi signal that gets bounced to your devices without the use of wires.

But you’ll only be able to get full fibre broadband if it’s available in your area. Use our postcode checker to see what’s possible for you.

Last updated 13 February 2025