The Connected Home: More Than Just Wi-Fi

There was a time when using the internet was a luxury — one that would render you uncontactable as it used the phone line to connect.

02:07 23 August 2025

There was a time when using the internet was a luxury — one that would render you uncontactable as it used the phone line to connect. Back in those halcyon days, we would log on, check our emails, visit a few websites and then disconnect from the internet until the next time we needed it. 

Now, we are always connected, whether it’s through computers, phones, wearable gadgets or all manner of household appliances ranging from AI assistants to coffee machines. Meanwhile, British homes are essentially digital command centres that are becoming increasingly dependent on a solid internet connection to operate, from smart thermostats controlling the indoor climate to app-controlled security systems and smart lighting that can respond to the specific preferences of individuals in the room at any one time. 

Let’s look at just how far the internet has come in a few short decades and explore exactly how modern households are using their broadband connections. 

The Smart Home Revolution

The emergence of smart home devices has forever changed how we interact with our homes. It’s not even that we need to control our appliances much these days. Smart thermostats like Nest and Hive can learn our daily routines and adjust their settings accordingly, saving money without sacrificing comfort. These smart devices can reduce heating costs by as much as 20%.

Home security is another element of the home that benefits from smart connectivity, providing an instant connection to monitor the porch for deliveries or talk to visitors without being home. Some security systems also come with machine learning that lets the cameras learn to identify ‘safe’ visitors and automatically alert the security company of suspicious activity before you even realize it. 

As great as this level of smart home tech is, the real value comes from full Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity, which allows multiple devices to communicate with one another. This could be the lights automatically dimming when watching Netflix or adjusting the heating based on who is in each room and their individual temperature preferences. 

All it takes to turn your home into a smart hub is the right devices and a solid broadband connection.

The Digital Shopping Experience

Online shopping is nothing new to UK homes, with the vast majority regularly taking advantage of the ability to browse entire collections, compare prices and purchase almost anything they need from the comfort of their own home. A few clicks and your chosen items arrive on the doorstep, sometimes within mere hours. 

Many people complete their weekly grocery shopping online, using services that are smart enough to remember previous weeks’ purchases, notice trends across weeks and make tailored suggestions based on this understanding. 

None of this would be possible without an infrastructure that connects devices at each step of the process, from the customer’s screen to the warehouse and back out to the customer. Furthermore, most of this can be done from a mobile phone anywhere in the world. 

Virtual Learning and Remote Work

Internet connectivity within the home has revolutionized the way we interact with the world. With ultra-fast and highly reliable broadband connections, the internet has not only changed how we live, but also how we work and learn.

Online learning platforms and educational apps like Khan Academy, Coursera, and even BBC Bitesize provide online access to academic resources on a global scale. With nothing more than a stable internet connection, these platforms ensure everybody from primary school children to adults has adequate opportunities to learn new skills. The best part is that these programs and courses are always accessible, meaning people can follow them at their convenience and fit their learning around busy personal or professional schedules. 

The same is true for remote working. With a strong internet signal, a laptop and a phone, many people are now able to work from anywhere. This has not only impacted the way we work but also forever changed the family dynamic and work-life balance, whether it’s collaborating in real time on documents in your garden or attending team meetings while visiting your in-laws. 

To get the most benefits from the online world, the internet speed must be consistent and able to handle the load. A poor connection leads to dropped calls, frozen screens and increased frustration.

Online Leisure and Entertainment

With ultra-fast broadband connections at home, complemented by 4G and 5G connections while out and about, people in the UK are nearly always online. This has made it even easier for people to find leisure and entertainment outlets online. 

People can sit down and relax with a film on Netflix or keep up to date with EastEnders on BBC iPlayer while sitting in a hotel on a business trip, all while enjoying 4K resolution and no buffering. 

Gaming is another hobby that has seen tremendous growth and development with internet-based games on PCs, consoles, tablets and phones. Online technology even makes it possible for people to play their consoles anywhere. The portability of the Switch means you can play Fortnite while riding the bus or access your Xbox through your laptop and enjoy a spot of Elder Scrolls while on your lunch break. 

Thanks to broadband, millions of people can download the newest games without standing in line at the shop, stream a movie and watch with friends across different locations, and spend time comparing the best slot sites to enjoy playing games of chance without stepping foot into a physical casino. 

Content creation is another outlet that combines leisure, entertainment and career, with people now able to record videos or stream their activities live on platforms like YouTube, TikTok or Twitch. Normal people can share their lives and hobbies with the world and earn good money doing so. 

Conclusion

Smart homes represent a colossal shift in the way we live, work, learn and relax. The internet is no longer just about checking messages and dodgy chatrooms. It is a fundamental part of modern life in the UK, with smart devices, streaming services, online shopping and digital learning forming the cornerstone of contemporary society.

While choosing a fibre connection provides the best speeds and connectivity, most families will be just fine with a solid internet connection offering around 50-100Mbps. Just remember to position your router carefully to optimise your connection and your home will be ready for full connectivity and digital living.