What is a wireless router?

Internet routers can be wired or wireless. With the exception of 3G connections, it's not the broadband connection or package that is wireless, it's the type of router. Wired routers are becoming less and less common and are now used mostly in households where the primary means of connecting to the internet is a fixed-line PC.

How they work

Wireless models are the most common type of broadband router. Basically speaking, internet data comes in to the router from the phone line and is converted into radio signals. This signal is then picked up by the network card in your computer, smartphone or games console and translated into internet data again.

Wireless routers are included in wireless broadband packages, and are essential in homes where multiple devices connect to the internet at the same time.

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What wireless routers do:

• Provide wireless internet to wireless-enabled devices such as computers, laptops, tablets and gaming consoles
• Can be used to make VoIP calls
• Facilitate digital TV

BT Home Hub

BT's HomeHub 2.0 truly blows all other wireless routers out of the water. Hailed as the iPhone of broadband routers, the HomeHub makes it easy to connect PCs, laptops and gaming consoles to the internet wirelessly. It also allows you to make calls over the internet, has a built-in firewall and parental controls and provides security updates automatically.

Using improved N-standard technology, the HomeHub can provide greater speeds over greater distances. As an ADSL2+ router, it is capable of offering you the maximum speeds available with this type of connection in the UK (if you can get them in your area). The HomeHub is free on select BT broadband packages.

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Wireless routers and the future

Wireless routers are mostly associated with the use of home broadband. However, more recently they have been produced to be used with mobile broadband. To get started, all you have to do is plug your USB stick/dongle into your mobile broadband wireless router and you can create a wireless network wherever you are.

Compare the best wireless broadband packages at uSwitch now.