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What is the Internet of Things (IoT)? A Guide to IoT Devices
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As technology becomes more and more interconnected, you’re going to hear a whole lot more about the Internet of Things (IoT). Here’s everything you need to know
By Virgin Media Edit
- Published
- 18 March 2025
What is the Internet of Things (IoT)?
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of physical objects that are connected to the internet and can collect, share, and exchange data. These objects, or "things," include everyday items like refrigerators, thermostats, cars, and even wearable devices like smartwatches.
These IoT-enabled devices can communicate with each other and with central systems over the internet. For example, a smart thermostat can learn your daily routine and adjust the temperature in your home automatically to your liking, while a fitness tracker can monitor your heart rate and steps, then send that data to your phone so you can track your health.
Many IoT devices can communicate with your Smart home assistants, like Alexa or Google Home, so that you to control lights, your heating, and other smart home devices using just your voice.
For all of this to be possible, you need an internet connection, which is where we come in! Our superfast broadband is ideal for IoT setups of sizes, with speeds up to 1130mbps with our gigabit broadband. If you’re unsure what you can get, use our helpful broadband postcode checker to see what’s available in your area.
Types of IoT devices
There are many types of IoT devices, and they are used in different areas of life to make things easier and more efficient. These devices are connected to the internet and can collect and share data automatically.
Smart home devices help make homes more comfortable and secure. Examples include smart thermostats that adjust the temperature automatically, smart lights that you can control from your phone, and smart security cameras that send alerts if they detect movement. Smart speakers like Alexa or Google Home let you control other smart devices using just your voice.
Wearable devices are gadgets you can wear, like smartwatches and fitness trackers. They monitor things like your heart rate, steps, sleep patterns, and even stress levels. Some smartwatches can also send messages and make phone calls, helping you stay connected without needing your phone.
IoT is improving healthcare with devices like smart blood pressure monitors and glucose meters that help patients track their health at home. Doctors can monitor patient data remotely and respond quickly if something is wrong. Some hospitals use smart beds that adjust automatically for patient comfort and to prevent bedsores.
Cities use IoT devices to improve traffic flow, reduce pollution, and save energy. Smart traffic lights can adjust their timing based on real-time traffic conditions, and smart waste bins send alerts when they need to be emptied. There are even streetlights with motion sensors can dim or brighten based on activity, helping to save electricity.
Modern cars are becoming smarter with IoT technology. Connected cars have GPS, internet access, and sensors that monitor things like tire pressure and engine health. Some cars can even drive themselves using real-time data from cameras and sensors.
How do IoT devices work?
The Internet of Things (IoT) connects physical objects to the internet so they can collect and share information. These objects have built-in sensors that gather data from their surroundings, such as temperature, movement, or light along with processors (small computers) that help them understand the data they collect.
With this technology, these objects can use wireless networks (like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or cellular) to send data to other devices or a central system and receive data back. Using the example of a smart thermostat, the whole process might look something like this:
Sensing the Environment: The smart thermostat has built-in temperature sensors that continuously check the temperature in the room.
Processing the Data: The thermostat’s small computer analyzes the temperature data and compares it to the settings you prefer (for example, 20°C).
Sending and receiving the data: If the temperature is too high or too low, the thermostat connects to the internet and sends data to your smartphone app, allowing you to see the current temperature.
Taking Action: If the thermostat detects that the room is too cold, it automatically turns on the heater to reach the desired temperature without you needing to do anything.
Feedback and Learning: The thermostat keeps monitoring the temperature and remembers your preferences over time, adjusting automatically to keep you comfortable. This process happens quickly and without needing you to adjust it manually every time, making your home more comfortable and energy efficient
The data collected by IoT devices can also be stored in the cloud (online servers) where it can be analysed to find patterns and improve performance.
The key to IoT is internet communication - devices gather information, process it, and act on it with you needing to do anything. This makes it possible to have smart homes, smart cities, and smarter industries by making everything more automated and connected.
Why is the Internet of Things important?
The Internet of Things (IoT) helps improve how we live, work, and interact with the world by making the technology we use more connected. You can turn off lights from your phone, adjust the temperature before you arrive home, and get alerts if someone is at your door.
IoT is also changing industries by improving how businesses operate. In healthcare, wearable devices like smartwatches can track heart rates and detect health problems early, helping doctors provide better care. Meanwhile in factories, IoT sensors can monitor machines and detect issues before they break down, reducing downtime and saving money.
Even in farming uses IoT, with IoT-enabled devices helping farmers track soil moisture and weather conditions so they can work faster and grow more effectively.
Do you need fast internet for IoT devices?
You certainly do! A good internet speed is crucial for IoT devices because these devices rely on a strong and fast connection to send and receive data. IoT devices like smart thermostats, security cameras, and smartwatches need to communicate with each other and with the cloud in real-time, and a good internet connection ensures that this communication happens quickly and without delays.
For example, if you have a smart security camera, a good internet connection allows it to stream video smoothly and send alerts to your phone immediately if it detects movement. If the internet is slow or weak, the video might freeze, or the alert might be delayed, which could make it harder to respond to a security issue on time.
Meanwhile in a smart home, a fast connection allows your smart lights, thermostat, and voice assistant to respond instantly when you give a command. If the internet is weak, your smart light might take longer to turn on, or the thermostat might not adjust the temperature correctly.
Pair your IoT devices with superfast Virgin Media broadband
Remember, the foundation of any reliable smart home is a good internet connection. If you want IoT devices to work at their best, you’ll need a superfast download speeds and upload speeds to make sure they can communicate effectively.
We’ve got speeds of up to 1130Mbps with our gigabit broadband, so be sure to check out all of our broadband deals to find a package that works with your home setup.
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