Latest news with #BroadbandSavvy
Daily Mirror
20-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
WiFi alert for UK homes with Sky, Virgin and BT broadband, check your router now
UK homes should make a simple Wi-Fi check today. If you've not checked or upgraded your Wi-Fi router in a while, now could be a good time to do so. Although most internet devices appear to provide a decent signal, broadband technology has advanced at a rapid rate, and that means you could be being left behind. According to the team at Broadband Savvy, many of us now have inferior Wi-Fi 5 boxes installed in our homes, and that system simply can't keep pace with modern needs. For those unaware, Wi-Fi 5 is now over a decade old and has since been beaten by Wi-Fi 6, 6E and even all-new Wi-Fi 7 devices. These upgrades can all cope with much faster download speeds along with having large volumes of gadgets connected to them. Most UK Internet Service Providers (ISPs) do now offer Wi-Fi 6 routers but many customers continue to have Wi-Fi 5 gadgets plugged into their walls. Explaining more, Tom Paton, founder of Broadband Savvy, said: "Compared to more modern standards, like WiFi 6, 6E, and 7, WiFi 5 has significant limitations for the end-user. "WiFi 5 is fine for slower broadband connections, such as the 30-50 Mbps packages that were popular in 2010-2015, as long as you don't have lots of internet-connected devices. "But certain providers are still shipping these routers to customers buying an ultrafast broadband plan, even though they're not designed for this." If your contract is up for renewal or you are about to switch providers there is another reason to be cautious. Most ISPs will want you to sign up for a lengthy contract which means what you get now, you'll be stuck with for two years. "Most broadband plans on the market at the moment come with a 24 month contract. In two years' time, WiFi 5 will be essentially obsolete, which is why we're urging broadband providers to at least offer the option of a better router on their fast fibre plans," Paton added. It can be pretty hard to know what your router is capable of, but it's worth checking with your ISP to see if an upgrade is available. "When buying, insist on at least a WiFi 6 router - but be aware that one or two major providers still don't offer this as an option," Paton said. "For example, as a cheaper, more basic provider, Plusnet is still shipping the Smart Hub 2 WiFi 5 router, even on their ultrafast 500 Mbps and 900 Mbps plans. On the other hand, EE offers the choice of a WiFi 6 or WiFi 7 router across all of their tariffs." If you want to future-proof your speeds, speak to your ISP. It's also worth noting that there are many Wi-Fi boosters on the market—such as Amazon's Eero—that offer Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity. These so-called mesh networks plug into your current router and offer an instant upgrade.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
BT, Sky, Virgin Media customers issued Wi-Fi warning to check routers now
UK households have been issued a warning to check if their Wi-Fi routers are due an upgrade. Requesting an upgrade from their Internet Service Provider (ISP) can lead to peace of mind by the knowledge that your internet is secure, as newer models offer the latest protection against hacking. Broadband Savvy has issued new guidance, highlighting the leaps in Wi-Fi technology and the pitfalls of clinging to outdated equipment. Read more: Sky TV DOWN for 35,000 people after major outage left them without access to shows The warning has been specifically issued to those that still use a Wi-Fi 5 router, as they are no longer supported by most ISPs. They have been eclipsed by newer iterations such as Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, and even Wi-Fi 7. Tom Paton, founder of Broadband Savvy, said: "Compared to more modern standards, like WiFi 6, 6E, and 7, WiFi 5 has significant limitations for the end-user. "WiFi 5 is fine for slower broadband connections, such as the 30-50 Mbps packages that were popular in 2010-2015, as long as you don't have lots of internet-connected devices. "But certain providers are still shipping these routers to customers buying an ultrafast broadband plan, even though they're not designed for this." He added: "Most broadband plans on the market at the moment come with a 24 month contract. "In two years' time, WiFi 5 will be essentially obsolete, which is why we're urging broadband providers to at least offer the option of a better router on their fast fibre plans." If you haven't checked for upgrades with you ISP in some time, it's important that you do, as if could signify that you're overdue an newer, safer, model. Tom adds: "When buying, insist on at least a WiFi 6 router - but be aware that one or two major providers still don't offer this as an option," noted Paton. "For example, as a cheaper, more basic provider, Plusnet is still shipping the Smart Hub 2 WiFi 5 router, even on their ultrafast 500 Mbps and 900 Mbps plans. "On the other hand, EE offers the choice of a WiFi 6 or WiFi 7 router across all of their tariffs."
Daily Record
14-05-2025
- Daily Record
Wi-Fi warning for all homes using BT, Sky or Virgin Media - here's what to do now
A new warning has been issued to all UK households that are using Wi-Fi, with homes being urged to check their routers UK households are being encouraged to give their routers a once-over and consider requesting an upgrade from their Internet Service Provider (ISP). Broadband Savvy has issued new guidance, highlighting the leaps in Wi-Fi technology and the pitfalls of clinging to outdated equipment. The experts at Broadband Savvy have pointed out that many UK homes are still using Wi-Fi 5 routers, despite most ISPs like Sky, BT, and Virgin Media continuing to supply this older tech to their customers. Wi-Fi 5, which is now more than a decade old, has been eclipsed by newer iterations such as Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, and even Wi-Fi 7. While Wi-Fi 5 can still provide a satisfactory connection, it falls short of the performance offered by the latest routers in terms of speed and dependability. Moreover, Wi-Fi 5 isn't ideal for households with numerous internet-connected gadgets, and those with a high-traffic home network will certainly notice an improvement upon upgrading to Wi-Fi 6, 6E, or 7, reports the Express. "Compared to more modern standards, like WiFi 6, 6E, and 7, WiFi 5 has significant limitations for the end-user," Tom Paton, founder of Broadband Savvy, remarked. "WiFi 5 is fine for slower broadband connections, such as the 30-50 Mbps packages that were popular in 2010-2015, as long as you don't have lots of internet-connected devices. "But certain providers are still shipping these routers to customers buying an ultrafast broadband plan, even though they're not designed for this." Consumers are urged to quiz their ISPs over routers as lengthy contracts could see them saddled with outdated tech. "Most broadband plans on the market at the moment come with a 24 month contract. In two years' time, WiFi 5 will be essentially obsolete, which is why we're urging broadband providers to at least offer the option of a better router on their fast fibre plans," Paton remarked. Determining the capabilities of your router can be challenging, but it's certainly prudent to check for potential upgrades with your ISP. It's pertinent to point out that a plethora of Wi-Fi boosters like Amazon's Eero can enhance your internet connectivity, leveraging technologies such as Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E. "When buying, insist on at least a WiFi 6 router - but be aware that one or two major providers still don't offer this as an option," noted Paton. "For example, as a cheaper, more basic provider, Plusnet is still shipping the Smart Hub 2 WiFi 5 router, even on their ultrafast 500 Mbps and 900 Mbps plans. On the other hand, EE offers the choice of a WiFi 6 or WiFi 7 router across all of their tariffs." In order to stay ahead in terms of internet speeds, consulting with your ISP is advisable.
