What is the Difference Between Broadband and Wi-Fi?

Broadband and Wi-Fi are two different technologies that are often used to connect devices to the internet.

Here is a brief overview of each:

Broadband: Broadband is a high-speed internet connection that is delivered through a wired connection, such as part-copper cable (known as FTTC) or full fibre (FTTP) which is 100% fibre optic. Full fibre is the very latest in broadband technology and is capable of far higher broadband speeds. A wired broadband connection is typically faster and more reliable than wireless connections like Wi-Fi.

Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi is a wireless technology that allows devices to connect to the internet without the need for a physical cable. Wi-Fi uses radio waves to transmit data between devices and a wireless router. This allows multiple devices to connect to the internet at once without the need for physical connections.

While both broadband and Wi-Fi are used to connect devices to the internet, they’re not the same thing. Broadband is the type of internet connection that is delivered to a building or home via an underground cable, while Wi-Fi is used to connect devices within a building or home to a broadband internet connection.

While both technologies work together to provide a seamless internet experience, it’s a broadband connection that we’re responsible for when there are issues with connection speeds. If you run a speed test over Wi-Fi and find that the speeds are not normal, you should run a test with a device you can connect via an ethernet cable because a wired connection will always give you a more reliable reading of the broadband speed delivered to your router.

Here are some handy articles you can check if you experience slow internet speeds:

  1. Do You Have Enough Bandwidth?
  2. Understanding Your Broadband Performance
  3. Broadband and Wi-Fi speeds explained
  4. What Can Affect Your Broadband and Wi-Fi Speeds?

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