Wi-Fi warning for all homes using BT, Sky or Virgin Media - here's what to do now
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 Broadband Savvy has issued new guidance, highlighting the leaps in Wi-Fi technology and the pitfalls of clinging to outdated equipment.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Consumers are urged to quiz their ISPs over routers as lengthy contracts could see them saddled with outdated tech.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.
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