Next Generation Wireless Routers

With the exception of 3G internet, it's not actually the internet connection that is wireless, it's the router. Your internet will come in to your house through a cable, and the router then divides the internet connection between all the devices that are connected to it. This can be cable or wireless. To make a network wireless, you don't need a special connection, you just have to buy a wireless router.

Most broadband providers offer free wireless routers as standard, but it's always worth checking. Sometimes it's worth investing in a new one regardless because it may have better security, have a higher range, or broadcast on more channels. They’re also sleeker, easier to install and better designed than previous generation wireless routers.

Compare our best-selling wireless broadband packages here.

Is a wireless router worth it?

Do you have more than one computer in more than one room? Any other devices like iPhones, laptops and handhelds? Big house? If you just have one or two desktop PCs, and they're close to the router anyway, wireless probably isn't worth it, but if the answer to any of those questions is yes, then wireless is a good plan.

Pros
No wires!
Fast
Ability to connect LOTS of devices simultaneously

Cons
Lacks the stability of cable
Wireless routers are more expensive
People can steal wirelss signal unless your security is tight
Signal interference

Considerations

As always there is a lot of jargon involved, and it can be very disheartening. Below are a list of the most common terms, best practises and wireless standards.

What do I need to look for in a wireless router?
If you connect via a BT line, then you need an ADSL wireless router. If you connect via cable, then you will need a cable router. Reiterate your connection type before you buy, to cover yourself in case the teenager on the counter gets confused.

What does B, G or N stand for?
It's a wireless standard that tells you how fast your router can go. The first ever wireless standard was called 802.11, but this needed to be revised as they got better, and the letter refers to the speed they max out at. B routers take speeds of up to 11Mbps, G routers take speeds of up to 54Mbps and N routers can hit over 100Mbps. So a router that says 802.11n can support speeds of up to 100Mbps.

What's a channel?
In your router configuration page, you may see something that talks about wireless channels. Each channel has a spectrum, and it's what the signal broadcasts on. Thus if lots of people are using the same channel, it can get congested. Channels 1, 6 and 11 are usually the best for the UK (they have the highest frequency ranges) but if you notice slow speeds you can try and change it to something that less people use.

What's a WEP?
It's a security key for your wireless connection. Don't use it because it is weak. If you want to see exactly how weak, invite me over for tea and I'll have it hacked by the time my coffee is cold.
Always use the highest security possible. WPA is okay but WPA2 is much, much better. If you can, add MAC address filtering.

What's MAC address filtering?
A MAC address is a unique code that identifies your network adapter. It is NOT a MAC code, which you need when you switch your broadband provider.
A MAC address will look something like 00:4F:6G:00:EE, and it will be 100% unique to you. No other device in the world will have it, and anything that connects to the internet has to have one. When you set up your router, you can tell it to only allow connections from specified MAC addresses, meaning that you have to add them individually otherwise the device can't connect, even if it has the password.

BT’s Home Hub

As well as the faster and more efficient connection outlined above, the BT Home Hub incorporates the very latest WPA security features to provide better security for users.

Owners also benefit from the Home Hub’s Power Save feature. This means that the router will switch off wireless internet access when it is not in use. This cuts power consumption by more than one-fifth, saving money on electricity bills and providing a greener option.

The BT Home Hub can be purchased separately, but is free when customers sign up for selected packages. Compare BT broadband packages at uSwitch now.

Other next-generation routers

Like BT’s Home Hub, the next-generation routers available with rival providers broadband products also offers greater performance, improved reliability around the home or office and better coverage.

Enhanced routers are usually free with selected packages and can also be purchased separately.

Visit the uSwitch wireless broadband comparison page for the best deals from UK providers.

For more information on wireless routers see our guide entitled what is a wireless router?