What is 4G home broadband?

We provide a 4G home broadband service across our network, bringing superfast speeds of up to 60Mbps to our customers in more rural areas, who can’t otherwise be connected.

We’re problem solvers when it comes to connectivity, and 4G is yet another fabulous solution to help you access the speeds you need. Jargon aside, here’s what it’s all about…

What is 4G home broadband?

4G home broadband is a type of wireless internet connection that uses the same technology as the mobile 4G broadband you have on your phone, but don’t be fooled. 4G home broadband is very different to mobile broadband. It’s much faster, more reliable and doesn’t have data limits.

Airband 4G is more than just mobile broadband, it’s the best of 4G technology, designed to cope with real home use in mind and all that comes along with it.

Your broadband set-up is just as easy too. An antenna is installed on your property for a crystal-clear signal. You’ll get a more reliable connection and much better speeds than you could even imagine with mobile broadband too.

It really is the best way to get superfast, reliable broadband in many remote areas, where other broadband options are lacking.

What does 4G mean?

4G stands for 4th generation, referring to the 4th generation of cellular networks that connects you to the internet.

It’s faster than 3G but not as fast as 5G. Sadly, 5G is only available in urban areas at the moment, but 4G is still a great option for rural areas where fixed-line broadband leaves a lot to be desired.

Since it’s a wireless connection, it doesn’t need to use the existing telephone infrastructure and you don’t have to pay for line rental.

How does 4G home broadband work?

1. A small receiver attached to your property receives a signal from radio towers, known as 4G masts.
2. The signal is fed back to your router, which has a SIM card in it (a bit like the one in your phone), enabling access to the internet.
3. Your router broadcasts a WiFi signal through your home, for you to connect your devices to the internet, just like with other broadband options.

Voila! You’re able to achieve superfast speeds of up to 60Mbps.

Not sure how fast your broadband currently is? Use our broadband speed test to check.

Can I get 4G to my house?

Use our broadband coverage checker and if you’re within range, we can get our engineers out to install you very quickly. We have access to several different cellular networks and will get you connected to the best one for you.

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An engineer will survey your property to test the signal strength and give you an estimate of expected speeds. We’ll get you installed on the same day. Where there’s a will, there’s a way with Airband.

Who is 4G broadband suitable for?

4G is a good option for you if fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP), or fixed wireless broadband aren’t available.

FTTP leaves 4G (and any other type of broadband for that matter) in the dust in terms of speed and reliability, and both fibre and fixed wireless are more reliable, especially if you’re an avid internet user.

Keep in mind, you’ll also need to have a good mobile signal at your home for 4G to work.

The cherry on top of the 4G connection? You’ll still be able to use your connection for all of your normal home use. Perfect to keep up with your streaming, gaming, working and online scrolling, giving you peace of mind that you’ll stay connected to what you enjoy the most.

What’s more, you won’t be able to tell the difference between 4G broadband and the broadband you’re currently on, apart from it being much faster in most cases.

How fast is 4G broadband?

The speeds you can get with 4G depend on how strong the signal is at your property. With Airband’s 4G broadband service, you can expect superfast download speeds ranging from 30Mbps, up to 60Mbps.

Rest assured, the engineer who installs you will test the signal strength and let you know what sort of speeds you could get.

Why choose 4G over fixed-line broadband?

4G broadband is the best option for many rural locations, where the only option for fixed-line broadband uses outdated copper telephone lines.

In some areas, fixed-line broadband can offer download speeds as low as 1-5Mbps, whereas 4G broadband can offer speeds up to 60Mbps in many cases. 4G broadband doesn’t need to be any more expensive than fixed-line broadband either, as long as you choose the right provider.

Why is this the case? If you live in a rural location, all that copper between you and the cabinet or exchange just can’t meet the demands of modern internet use. Copper telephone and broadband technology is actually due to be retired by Openreach completely in the next few years in what is known as ‘the copper switch off’.

The good news is that copper technology is being replaced with fibre-to-the-premises right now, but other solutions are needed in the meantime. That’s where 4G comes in – and we’re here to deliver the solution that works for you.

How does 4G home broadband compare to mobile broadband?

You may be wondering if it would be better to use mobile broadband on your phone, rather than sign up for a 4G home broadband package. There are a few things you should consider first…

Do you want to use your connection for activities like streaming, downloading files and home working?

If so, you’ll exceed your mobile data limits much faster than you expect, and it can be very expensive to buy more once you’ve run out. Our 4G broadband has unlimited usage.

What’s the mobile signal like in your house?

4G home broadband uses a receiver installed on the exterior of your property, fine-tuning the signal. It makes a massive difference to your speed and reliability. It feeds back to your router, which distributes a consistent WiFi signal around your home.

Whereas, if you don’t get full mobile signal on your phone inside your house, you are going to struggle to get reliable 4G mobile internet. This is especially true if, in parts of your home, the mobile signal drops out.