24% of Brits still don’t understand what Wi-Fi means, survey finds – but that’s not the most surprising stat
By Efosa Udinmwen
Copyright techradar
Skip to main content
Tech Radar Pro
Tech Radar Gaming
Close main menu
the business technology experts
België (Nederlands)
Deutschland
North America
US (English)
Australasia
New Zealand
View Profile
Search TechRadar
Expert Insights
Website builders
Web hosting
Best web hosting
Best office chairs
Best website builder
Best antivirus
Expert Insights
Don’t miss these
VPN Services
The best free VPN in 2025
VPN Services
The best VPN for India in 2025
VPN Privacy & Security
Surfsharks sent a graffiti artist to Shoreditch to teach you about the absurd simplicity of VPNs
VPN Privacy & Security
Brits are better than Americans at spotting phishing scams, NordVPN study shows
VPN Privacy & Security
No, VPNs don’t guarantee absolute anonymity – but too many users still think they do
VPN Privacy & Security
International VPN Day: a privacy solution or “a loophole that needs closing” – here’s what’s at stake
VPN Privacy & Security
This is the main reason TechRadar readers use VPNs – and no, it isn’t streaming
VPN Privacy & Security
What is age verification? The privacy nightmare facing millions of UK internet users
Study up on Wi-Fi security before you head back to school
Why do angry UK internet users want to repeal the Online Safety Act? Here are the 5 biggest complaints
Fixing the Online Safety Act: look to betting, not to bans
Business VPN should be dead by now. So why is it still thriving?
VPN Privacy & Security
“VPNs are not kryptonite of age assurance” – Age verification experts explain why governments don’t need to ban VPNs
VPN Privacy & Security
Age verification requirements have landed in the UK – how the internet will change, and what about your privacy?
VPN Privacy & Security
“A privacy tradeoff” – privacy experts slam new UK age verification checks
24% of Brits still don’t understand what Wi-Fi means, survey finds – but that’s not the most surprising stat
Efosa Udinmwen
19 September 2025
Networking terms knowledge drops sharply when the language becomes more technical
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
One in four adults cannot confidently define what Wi-Fi actually means, survey finds
Only about half of Britons confidently said they understand what a VPN means
Clear, jargon-free communication is overwhelmingly preferred by consumers across the UK
Technology shapes how people live their lives – yet many consumers misunderstand the language used to describe their home connectivity, new research has claimed.
A survey of UK adults by TalkTalk claims although three-quarters claim to understand “Wi-Fi,” almost a quarter remain unclear about its meaning.
When asked which word they use for home connectivity, one third of respondents said “Wi-Fi,” slightly ahead of “internet” and “broadband.”
You may like
Surfsharks sent a graffiti artist to Shoreditch to teach you about the absurd simplicity of VPNs
Brits are better than Americans at spotting phishing scams, NordVPN study shows
No, VPNs don’t guarantee absolute anonymity – but too many users still think they do
Preferred terminology and confusion between services
Far fewer selected “wireless” or more informal alternatives like “T’internet” to describe home connectivity.
Despite telecom companies still pushing broadband branding, public usage indicates a shift toward everyday terms that feel familiar.
However, this preference does not always translate into an accurate understanding.
Many still mix up broadband, the wired service entering the property, with Wi-Fi, the wireless signal distributed inside the home by a router.
Some even believe the two terms are identical or that broadband is simply an older name for Wi-Fi.
In rating participants’ confidence with various networking terms, 76% said they understand “Wi-Fi,” but confidence drops when the language becomes more technical.
Only half reported knowing what “fiber” means, even though service providers heavily advertise fiber broadband.
You may like
Surfsharks sent a graffiti artist to Shoreditch to teach you about the absurd simplicity of VPNs
Brits are better than Americans at spotting phishing scams, NordVPN study shows
No, VPNs don’t guarantee absolute anonymity – but too many users still think they do
Terms like “IP address,” “LAN,” and “FTTP” ranked far lower, with single-digit familiarity for some entries.
This knowledge gap extends to security tools, as just over half said they understand VPNs, even though the best VPNs are always on our screens.
Despite several ads about the best VPN for the UK, many Britons barely know anything more than the basic functions of VPNs.
Consumers are not taking the blame for the knowledge gap; instead, they said telecom companies should use simple, jargon-free language to ease understanding.
Almost nine in ten stressed the need for clear communication, while 62% admitted jargon can leave them confused or overwhelmed.
Over half said complex terminology makes technology-related information difficult to understand.
TalkTalk’s own leadership acknowledged the problem, suggesting the industry has not kept pace with how consumers speak.
“Wi-Fi is a staple in all our homes, yet as an industry we haven’t kept up with the times when we talk to our customers,” said Steve Wallage, TalkTalk’s Product, Experience and Propositions Director.
Providers aiming to build trust may need to rethink their language, focusing less on technical specifications and more on practical clarity.
“Our latest research tells us that people prefer to communicate in the same way that they speak, without jargon, and our industry should reflect that,” Wallage added.
If the industry does not align with consumers, companies will keep saying one thing while users interpret something entirely different.
You might also like
Check out the best portable SSDs you can get today
These are the best NAS devices around
Compact 27-inch 4K screen with blazing 1200nits brightness sneaks in SDI connectivity
Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter
Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed!
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
Efosa Udinmwen
Freelance Journalist
Efosa has been writing about technology for over 7 years, initially driven by curiosity but now fueled by a strong passion for the field. He holds both a Master’s and a PhD in sciences, which provided him with a solid foundation in analytical thinking. Efosa developed a keen interest in technology policy, specifically exploring the intersection of privacy, security, and politics. His research delves into how technological advancements influence regulatory frameworks and societal norms, particularly concerning data protection and cybersecurity. Upon joining TechRadar Pro, in addition to privacy and technology policy, he is also focused on B2B security products. Efosa can be contacted at this email: udinmwenefosa@gmail.com
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
Surfsharks sent a graffiti artist to Shoreditch to teach you about the absurd simplicity of VPNs
Brits are better than Americans at spotting phishing scams, NordVPN study shows
No, VPNs don’t guarantee absolute anonymity – but too many users still think they do
International VPN Day: a privacy solution or “a loophole that needs closing” – here’s what’s at stake
This is the main reason TechRadar readers use VPNs – and no, it isn’t streaming
What is age verification? The privacy nightmare facing millions of UK internet users
Latest in Pro
AI > Crypto – Bitcoin mining spinoff gets $700 million investment from Nvidia to build hyperscale AI infrastructure using, you’ve guessed it, thousands of Blackwell GPUs
Intel will build custom x86 CPUs for Nvidia’s AI infrastructure as world’s largest company invests $5 billion in beleaguered tech firm – and don’t discount a data center x86 APU
CrowdStrike snaps up Pangea to boost AI security
Top VC firm is warning thousands their data may have been hacked – here’s how to stay safe
New York Blood Center data breach sees 200,000 affected – and you might not even know you’ve been hit
Scattered Spider hackers return to hit more victims – despite retirement claims
Latest in News
The Metaverse is not dead and AI may be its new savior
Nvidia x Intel press conference: as it happened
The Tor Project quietly launches a beta Android VPN – and looks for testers
Disappear online – Windscribe’s Chrome and Edge VPN extensions get a privacy upgrade
This A24 horror movie hit finally has a streaming release date on HBO Max, and it’s just in time for spooky season
ExpressVPN launches free VPN service to combat the dangers of low-quality freebies
LATEST ARTICLES
Peacemaker season 2 makes a big change to Sasha Bordeaux’s DC comic book origins story, and some fans might not like it
Logitech is calling the new Astro A20 X the ‘ultimate console gaming headset,’ but it’s got two disappointing traits
This A24 horror movie hit finally has a streaming release date on HBO Max, and it’s just in time for spooky season
‘The new UI is borderline unusable’: Netflix subscribers are still complaining about the app re-design, and I’m 100% with them
Lucid just gave its EV owners a free dash cam mode and Tesla-style parking monitor – all from a software update
TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.
Contact Future’s experts
Terms and conditions
Privacy policy
Cookies policy
Advertise with us
Web notifications
Accessibility Statement
Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street,
Please login or signup to comment
Please wait…
