Wi-Fi warning: Important advice for all BT, Sky and Virgin Media broadband users

ANYONE wanting a solid and reliable connection to the internet should be aware of some simple advice ahead of the huge hike in energy costs.

By David Snelling

07:04, Mon, Aug 29, 2022 | UPDATED: 07:49, Mon, Aug 29, 2022

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All broadband users are being urged to leave their routers on (Image: GETTY)

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Millions of UK homes are about to be hit by a huge rise in energy prices which will see some gas and electricity bills jump by a staggering 80 percent. The hike in the energy cap is to blame, with regulator Ofgem announcing that costs will increase from this October – another surge is then expected in January 2023. Once the higher cap comes into effect it will see the average price for electricity leap from 18p p/kWh to a whopping 52p p/kWh.

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It’s a worrying time for millions of homes and many will be looking for ways to cut down on their usage including switching off lights and unplugging gadgets from the walls. However, before you start reaching for the switch and turning off the Wi-Fi when heading to bed you might want to think again.

• Once the price hike comes into force the average cost for running a broadband router will be around £50 per year or 13p per day. Turning off this flashing black box overnight will clearly shave a few pence off the daily outgoings but it could also seriously hamper a home’s internet connection.

Most of the UK’s biggest Internet Service Providers (ISPs), including BT and Sky, recommend leaving their Wi-Fi equipment on 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

There are some important reasons why it’s best not to cut the power to these devices including vital security updates, which are usually pushed out during the night, not being downloaded and installed. Not getting the latest upgrades and software patches can leave consumers at risk from annoying bugs and attacks from cyber criminals.

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