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What is broadband and how does it work?
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You’ve heard of our superfast broadband, but have you ever wondered how it all works? Here’s everything you need to know about broadband, including what it is, how it works, and the different types you can get
By Virgin Media Edit
- Published
- 6 March 2025
What is broadband? Meaning
Broadband is a high-speed internet connection that gives you access to the internet. It’s called "broadband" because it can carry a lot of data at once, giving you all the speed and bandwidth your need for activities like streaming videos, playing online games, or downloading files.
When broadband was first introduced, it used to literally mean the opposite of ‘narrowband’, which was the technology behind dial-up internet.
But after it overtook dial-up as the go-to way to connect to the internet in the 2000s, 'broadband' now refers to most types of internet connection you can get; from fixed-line home connections like copper ADSL or fibre-optic to 4G, 5G and even ultrafast gigabit broadband.
Whether you’re working from home, attending online classes, watching movies, or video chatting with friends and family, broadband makes it all possible without long waits or interruptions.
What is broadband? Meaning
Broadband works by sending data between the internet and your devices through a connection that’s always "on" and can handle lots of data at high speeds.
When you do something online (like load a webpage or stream a video) your request is broken into tiny pieces of data called packets. These data packets travel over wires, cables, or wireless signals to reach the broader internet.
Once the data reaches your home, a small box called a modem translates it into a form your devices can understand. A router (often combined with the modem) then sends this data wirelessly (WiFi) or through cables to your phone, laptop, or tablet.
This whole process happens in reverse, too; when you send data (like uploading a photo), your device sends packets back through the router and modem to the internet. All of this happens in seconds, letting you stream, browse, upload and download smoothly.
Types of broadband
Fibre broadband is the most popular way of getting broadband, offering an extremely wide range of internet speeds depending on what’s available in your area. Fiber-optic broadband uses thin glass or plastic cables that transmit data as pulses of light, which means incredibly fast speeds and reliability.
There are two main types of fibre broadband; full-fibre and part-fibre:
Full Fibre broadband (FTTP)
Full fibre broadband uses fibre-optic cables for the entire connection from your internet provider directly to your home. These cables, made of glass or plastic, transmit data as pulses of light, offering the fastest and most reliable speeds available.
Since there’s no old copper wiring involved, full fibre avoids slowdowns caused by distance or interference. It’s ideal for heavy internet use, like streaming 4K videos, online gaming, or working with large files. However, full fibre isn’t available everywhere yet, as installing these cables requires major infrastructure upgrades.
Part fibre broadband (FTTC)
Part fibre broadband mixes fibre-optic cables with older copper wires. The fibre runs from the provider to a street-side "cabinet" (a small utility box in your neighborhood), and then copper wires carry the signal from the cabinet to your home.
This setup is cheaper and easier to install than full fibre, which is why it’s more widely available. However, the copper part limits speed and reliability, especially if you live far from the cabinet. Speeds are slower than full fibre but still faster than traditional DSL or mobile broadband.
We offer both full fibre and part fibre broadband across the UK. Take a look at our fibre broadband deals and use our helpful postcode checker to see what you can get in your area.
ADSL broadband uses existing telephone lines to connect you to the internet. The "asymmetric" part means it priorities download speeds (like streaming videos or loading webpages) over upload speeds (like sending emails or files).
ADSL splits the phone line’s signal, letting you use the internet and make voice calls at the same time. But its speed depends heavily on your distance from the provider’s exchange -the farther you are, the slower the connection.
ADSL is now the oldest and slowest type of broadband, since it only runs on copper cables, and it’s slowly being phased out in the Uk due to faster, affordable broadband packages.
Cable broadband uses the same coaxial cables that deliver cable TV to your home. These thick, copper-based cables are wrapped in insulation to block interference, making them good at carrying high-frequency signals.
Cable networks are shared among homes in your area. During busy times (like evenings), when many people stream or game, speeds can slow down because everyone is using the same “pipe.” Our newer cable systems (called DOCSIS 3.1/4.0) solve this problem by splitting the cable into more “lanes” for data. Our Speeds range from 50 Mbps to over 1 Gbps with our gigabit broadband, depending on your plan and network upgrades.
Use our helpful postcode checker to see what you can get
Satellite broadband works by sending and receiving data through a satellite in space. A dish installed at your home communicates with the satellite, which connects to a ground station linked to the internet. When you request data (like loading a webpage), the signal travels from your dish to the satellite, then to the ground station, and back again.
This process allows satellite broadband to provide internet access in remote or rural areas where other types of broadband aren’t available. However, because the signal has to travel such a long distance (to space and back), there’s often a noticeable delay, called "latency." This can make activities like video calls or online gaming less smooth compared to other types of broadband.
Mobile broadband uses cellular networks (like 4G or 5G) to provide internet access. Instead of cables or wires, data is transmitted through radio waves between your device and a nearby cell tower. You can connect to mobile broadband using a smartphone, a portable hotspot, or a USB dongle plugged into your computer.
Mobile broadband is very convenient for people on the go, as it allows you to access the internet almost anywhere with cellular coverage. Speeds depend on the strength of the signal and the type of network (4G or 5G), with 5G offering much faster speeds and lower latency. However, mobile broadband often comes with data limits, and speeds can vary depending on your location and network congestion.
Wireless broadband, also known as fixed wireless, uses radio signals from a nearby tower to provide internet access. A small antenna or receiver is installed on your home, which picks up the signal from the tower and sends it to a modem inside your house. The modem then connects to your devices, either through Wi-Fi or cables.
Fixed wireless is a good option in areas where laying cables or installing fiber isn’t practical, such as rural or hard-to-reach locations. Speeds are generally faster than satellite broadband but may not match cable or fibre.
Check out our wireless broadband deals to see if there’s package that suits you.
Broadband vs WiFi: What’s the difference?
Broadband and WiFi are related but not the same thing. Broadband is the actual internet connection that comes into your home from your internet provider, while WiFi is the wireless signal that allows your devices to connect to the internet without needing cables.
In other words, broadband is the internet coming into your home, and WiFi is how you access it wirelessly. If your broadband is slow, your WiFi will also be slow. But even if you have fast broadband, poor WiFi signals (due to distance from the router or interference) can make your internet feel slow on wireless devices.
How fast is broadband?
Different types of broadband have different speeds. ADSL usually provides speeds of 10–20 Mbps, which is enough for basic web browsing, emails, and light streaming. However, if multiple people are using the internet at the same time, it might feel slow.
Fibre broadband is much faster. Part fibre offers speeds of around 30–80 Mbps, which is good for streaming, gaming, and working from home. FTTP is even faster, delivering speeds from 100 Mbps to 1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps), making it ideal for large households, ultra-HD streaming, and heavy online gaming.
Some areas also have gigabit broadband, which can reach speeds of 1,000 Mbps or more. This is the fastest internet available and is great for businesses or tech-savvy households that need super-fast speeds.
The speed you need depends on how many people use the internet in your home and what you use it for. If you only browse the web and watch occasional videos, 30–50 Mbps is enough. But if you have a large household with multiple devices streaming, gaming, or working remotely, you may need 100 Mbps or more.
Broadband vs WiFi: What’s the difference?
Broadband and WiFi are related but not the same thing. Broadband is the actual internet connection that comes into your home from your internet provider, while WiFi is the wireless signal that allows your devices to connect to the internet without needing cables.
In other words, broadband is the internet coming into your home, and WiFi is how you access it wirelessly. If your broadband is slow, your WiFi will also be slow. But even if you have fast broadband, poor WiFi signals (due to distance from the router or interference) can make your internet feel slow on wireless devices.
What broadband can I get?
The broadband you can get depends on what’s available in your area. No matter where you are in the UK, you’ll most likely have access to superfast fibre broadband with speeds ranging from 30mbs all the way to 1gbs
We’ve got a range of superfast broadband deals beyond in various locations throughout the UK and Northern Ireland. You can bundle broadband with our TV and phone deals too for the ultimate entertainment experience!
Use our postcode checker to see what broadband you can get at your home.
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