Broadband Guide

Wireless broadband guide

By Garnet Roach garnet@consumerchoices.co.uk

Taking your broadband wireless is a great way to access the internet on multiple computers, from anywhere in your home - or even your garden.

Anyone with a home broadband connection - as opposed to mobile broadband - can go wireless. Wireless broadband is not a different type of broadband- you just need the right kind of router, which you can either buy yourself or get from your ISP, to rid your home of a spaghetti junction of wires and ethernet cables.

How does it differ from mobile broadband?

Wireless broadband (wifi) is not the same as mobile broadband. A mobile broadband connection can be used anywhere that you get a mobile phone signal, while a home wifi connection has about 100m radius in which you can use it before then signal becomes too weak.

While a connection that can be used anywhere might seem like the best option, mobile broadband download allowances are still very low compared to home broadband connections, so if you want to really make the most of the internet, a home wifi connection is the perfect choice.

Wireless broadband providers

There’s no such thing as a “wireless broadband provider” since all home broadband connections can be made wireless by connecting a wifi router to your modem.

However, some ISPs are more wifi-friendly, offering free wireless routers and security suits when you sign up. These include BT (www.BT.com), AOL (www.AOL.co.uk) and Be Broadband (www.BeThere.co.uk).

What are the advantages of wireless broadband?

A wireless broadband connection lets you move around the house with your laptop, games console or desktop PC, all the while staying connected to the internet. You can even connect phones and PDAs to your home wifi network.

It also means that if you want to connect to your office from home on your laptop, and the kids want to check their Facebook accounts on the family PC, you won’t have to fight them for the internet - everyone can connect at the same time.

Are there any disadvantages?

You need to make sure that you have the correct level of security set up to protect your wireless network and ensure that hackers, or just neighbours and passers by can’t use your internet without your permission.

Depending on your provider, you might also have to send your router back if you decide to move to a different ISP - forcing you to get a new one.

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