Broadband FAQs

To give you the best offer we always ask that you enter your postcode in the checker, this is so you can see the best offers available to you.

All of our broadband packages have a standard 24 months contract. The only time this would change is if you have paid an additional setup charge to reduce this to 12 months.

A month before your contract ends, we will contact you to let you know so you have the opportunity to renew Your Co-op Broadband. We will also give you our latest offers, so you have the opportunity to sign up for a new contract if you wish.

There are many speed test websites on the internet, the ones we ask you to use are https://www.speedtest.net/ or https://speedtest.btwholesale.com/.

Yes, your Wi-Fi service can be affected by weather conditions, though it can depend on the type of broadband connection your home or business has and the specific weather conditions.

In periods of high heat, whether that be from natural air temperatures or man-made conditions, the cables above or below ground can become damaged. The level of exposure to high heat ultimately determines the level of damage. However, it's the servers and routers that are the more constant concern, as high temperatures can cause lag in connections for businesses and homes.

The connections made by your broadband for your Wi-Fi service are not affected by windy conditions, though the physical equipment carrying the connections could be at risk. The sudden and continuous vibrations made by high-speed winds can also damage the cables which carry broadband signals, as well as lines being physically damaged by falling trees or objects has the potential to cut your broadband connection entirely.

However, if you are on fibre broadband that should mean your cables are relayed to your premises underground, though some may run across more traditional telephone lines.

Rain may cause physical damage to outdoor cables that are configured on older infrastructure (though by December 2025 this will likely be retired with the Big Switch Off) which leaves them more exposed to adverse weather conditions.

Although, underground cable configurations aren't entirely safe either, as flood water and excessive moisture can cause significant disruption or stop the signals from transmitting entirely. This happens when bandwidth is shortened by the water disruption or causes an electrical short-circuit, that will likely require an engineer to resume it.

Provided the cold temperatures don't reach record-breaking lows, the cold itself should not have any bearing on the performance of your Wi-Fi service. However, the cold ground temperature could cause frost heaving, which is the process of ground soil moving due to ice expansion and pressure build-up. This could disrupt underground cables by damaging and stretching them to the point where there is noticeably reduced bandwidth.

Snow can also cause disruption to broadband as exposed cables can be damaged by falling snow and weight when it sets. Though during winter periods, the largest reason for dips in broadband performance is the demand, due to more people being indoors and using different devices simultaneously.

No, you don't need to have a landline connected for broadband to work. The issue is that you will need full-fibre broadband for this to be the case, which is not possible at the moment for every single premise.

If your home still has copper lines running to the premises and you can't currently change this, then you will still need a landline as part of your broadband service. Only once you have a full-fibre service or a satellite broadband service, can it be possible to have broadband free from a landline.

Yes, unfortunately, your home broadband can be hacked, and you may not even know it has happened. Hackers may use a method called DNS (Domain Name Server) hijacking, which can allow intruders to pass through your Wi-Fi security and then have the potential to do you harm.

A common practice used by hackers is to redirect your broadband traffic to a website of their choosing, typically their own which could see your payment details and log-in information spread to hackers and other criminals.

We offer discounted Norton 360 to Your Co-op Members to protect your home with the world’s best cyber security with 24/7 care and support.

Yes, your ISP's Gateway server collects data you have searched or downloaded from your Wi-Fi which must happen for you to connect to the internet. For a user of broadband to connect to the internet, DNS requests to reach a website are handled by your ISP, and so the websites you visit and downloads you make can be tracked via their domain and even URL (depending on encryption).

To find out exactly which pieces of data your ISP is tracking, you can check your ISP's privacy policy and terms of service.

Yes, it is possible for Wi-Fi to be affected If your TV operates using an antenna to receive incoming signals for programmes. Your Wi-Fi router will emit a radio signal when in operation that has the potential to disrupt the TV signal you are receiving, causing pixilation or buffering.

However, to avoid this from happening don't place a TV near or behind active broadband components that could disrupt your TV's signal. A recommended distance for your router is at least 5 feet away from any other electric device. Similarly, avoid enclosed consoles with appliances that produce heat, such as DVD players and game consoles, as this may cause your TV to lose efficiency.

Simply put, wireless broadband is a service which provides an internet connection free of any cables that need to be connected to devices. Though a wireless broadband service as a term can be used for either home Wi-Fi networks or the broadband service itself.

Wi-Fi is used in our homes to provide wireless internet, but the broadband itself is most likely delivered using cables.