Wireless broadband and WiFi

Get a wireless router with your broadband package! Plus find out more about wireless broadband, or wifi.

Wireless routers included in broadband packages

Some broadband providers offer free wireless routers with some of their broadband packages, either permanently or as a special offer.

Provider	Offer	Broadband package
	02 wireless box.	02 Broadband - up to 20Mb. Cheaper broadband for 02 mobile customers: from £7.50/month.
	Wireless router worth £50.	AOL Broadband. All up to 8Mb. From £4.99/month (ends 01/06/08)
	Wireless router.	Post Office Broadband Extra and Post Office HomePhone with Broadband Extra. Up to 8Mb.
	Wireless router.	Tiscali Broadband packages and bundles. All up to 8Mb.
	Wireless kit.	Madasafish broadband. All broadband packages up to 8Mb.
	Wireless router.	Eclipse Broadband Home Pro. Download speeds up to 8Mb, upload speeds up to 448kb.
	BT HomeHub next generation router	BT Total Broadband Option 2 or BT Total Broadband Option 3 Both up to 8Mb. Special offer - HomeHub with BT Total Broadband Option 1: (ends 29/05/08).
	Wireless Be Box modem	Be Value (up to 8Mb), and Be Unlimited (up to 24Mb).
	Livebox wireless modem. Connects up to 6 computers wirelessly.	Orange Broadband Home Max or Orange Broadband Home Select. Both up to 8Mb.
	Wireless router (if you stay for a year).	PlusNet Broadband Your Way Option 3 & PlusNet Broadband Your Way Option 2 & PlusNet Pro for gamers. All up to 8Mb.
	Wireless kit.	Virgin Media broadband and bundles via phoneline. Up to 1Mb to up to 8Mb, from £9.99/month. Not a cable service.
	Wireless Sky router.	Sky See, Surf, Speak packages (various speeds and prices).

Free WiFi minutes with broadband packages

Get online out and about with free wifi minutes.

Provider	Wifi offer	Broadband package
	250 Openzone wifi minutes per month	BT Total Broadband Option 1
	350 FREE BT Openzone WiFi minutes each month for hotspots in UK / abroad	BT Total Broadband Option 2
	FREE unlimited BT Openzone WiFi minutes each month for hotspots in UK / abroad	BT Total Broadband Option 3

What is wireless broadband?

Wireless broadband, or WiFi, is simply broadband without a cable between your pc or laptop (or another wireless enabled device) and the wireless router, which transmits your requests to the internet. You can link several wireless-enabled devices to one wireless router, creating a wireless network.

How does wireless broadband work?

Your wireless device or network uses radio waves to transmit your requests from your computer(s), to your wireless router, to the internet.

Each pc or wireless-enabled device will need a wireless adaptor (although many pcs now have this functionality built in) - however the network only needs one wireless router as you can link several wireless devices to it. A wireless device could be a pc, laptop, or PDA.

If you have a wireless network you should ensure it is secure - your wireless network does not know where the boundaries of your property are and an unsecured wireless network can offer a way into your pc.

If you are out and about with a mobile wireless device (eg a laptop) you can get online by using public wireless networks - called hotspots. These are often in coffee shops, hotels, and other public places. You may have to pay to use a hotspot.

Benefits of wireless broadband

link several wireless devices (eg two pcs, a pc and a laptop, a pc, laptop and PDA) to one wireless router
fewer cables around the house
go online in any room, or the garden
use hotspots to get online when you're out and about, in the UK and abroad

Check out our broadband FAQs

Do you want to know more about broadband in general to help you choose your broadband provider? Then check out our UK Broadband Finder FAQs or business broadband FAQs. Or browse our broadband glossary.

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