Guide to getting broadband for Airbnb and holiday lets

 

Setting up a property for accommodating paying guests will inevitably include good broadband. With customers demanding capable connections, is your holiday let ready to receive?

What would you expect from a hotel or holiday home you plan to book and stay in?

Aside from a bed and bathroom, it’s highly likely your first thought is for internet access.

So if you are the proprietor of an Airbnb property, or any kind of holiday let, then providing adequate Wi-Fi broadband is essential. We’ve teamed up with BroadbandGenie.co.uk that will cover everything you need to know about the best broadband solutions for your guests.

Your broadband options: what connection do you need?

Before we get into the type of broadband that might be best, think first about the property itself and its capacity. Is it a big, spaced out place and how many guests will each maximum stay have?

A 1/2 bedroom apartment will have a wholly different layout and number of rooms to a large detached family home. They will have a different capacity in terms of square footing and indeed how many people they sleep.

Why property size matters for broadband:

  • More guests = more users and devices, calls for bigger bandwidth.

  • Wi-Fi router signal only stretches so far to give full, strong coverage.

What kind of guest will be staying?

Similarly, you might think carefully about the types of people likely to be staying.

Your property could be less ideal for holidaymakers, but more suited to professionals. Maybe it's situated close to an airport or business district so ideal for business people needing a home workspace too.

Expected usage habits

As an example, a business guest will likely make video calls or download/upload large files. 

Compared to the average tourist who wants to Google local attractions, check email or stream a little; the expectations are very different.   

Why expected guest(s) usage matters for broadband:

  • Two-way video/audio calls and file transfers require good upload bandwidth.

  • Casual web use (HTML) is lightweight but video streaming demands more.

Option 1: ADSL broadband

ADSL is the cheapest, most basic broadband option. Widely available to existing domestic telephone landlines, performance will vary depending on the distance between the property and the exchange.

Although ADSL has a maximum speed of 24Mbps, it averages at around 10Mbps. While often enough for a single person engaging in light use, it will struggle to keep pace for multiple guests in larger lets. 

Key feature summary:

  • Cheapest broadband option available

  • Readily available to all properties

  • Slowest speeds (average 10Mbps download speed)

Option 2: Fibre broadband

Fibre optic broadband is today the most logical choice. While a little more expensive than ADSL, it promises significantly faster performance where you can get it.

Most fibre is still accessed via the BT phone network. Contracts are usually 12-24 months with standard packages boasting average download speeds of around 35Mbps or 65Mbps.    

Fibre broadband is also capable of delivering ultrafast or “gigabit” speeds depending on the provider and availability in the area; coverage for these services is more limited, but growing rapidly. Virgin Media is a leader here, operating its own network to offer download rates as high as 1Gbps.

Key feature summary:

  • Costs more, subject to long contracts

  • Limited availability in remote locations

  • Much faster than ADSL

Option 3: Mobile broadband

For more remote properties, or anywhere a fixed-line connection is problematic or not desirable, there is a wireless alternative. Here you might choose mobile broadband — if network coverage is good in the area.

Mobile broadband for home use can still use a Wi-Fi router, so guests can connect to it like they would any other broadband. But unlike fixed-line services you’re not tethered to a cable so it’s portable and there’s no line rental. 

Speeds vary, but with 4G averaging 30Mbps and 5G potentially reaching 500Mbps, the performance can beat ADSL and match some fibre broadband.

Reliable signal is vital for the best speeds, however, and data caps could restrict high usage. If you are providing guests with a mobile broadband connection then you will ideally need to choose an unlimited data package. You could also enable a data usage restriction to keep spending under control, but to avoid any negative feedback this is something you’ll have to warn visitors about in advance if there’s a chance they could find the internet cut-off midway through their stay. 

Key feature summary:

  • Removes need for a fixed line

  • Data download limits may apply

  • Strong mobile network signal required

Giving good Wi-Fi reception

A capable wired connection is important, but wireless access also relies upon Wi-Fi signal.

Large Airbnb or holiday lets with multiple rooms or outdoor spaces might need to extend this. Typical wireless routers have a range of up to 50 metres (160ft) and should be situated centrally in the home for the widest coverage. 

If this still doesn’t provide enough range, you can use Wi-Fi extenders, boosters or “mesh” kits. These devices piggyback off the main router to grab, amplify and retransmit the signal further.

Setting up the router 

While positioning your main router for best range, think about signal quality also. You should try to keep Wi-Fi routers away from appliances (particularly fridges and microwaves) and cordless telephones, as this can impede the signal.

Other recommended actions for safe, public router setup:

  1. Change/set Wi-Fi passwords. Create a unique password for your Wi-Fi, and use WPA2 or WPA3 encryption (is a standard feature on any modern router).

  2. Change the admin password. The admin password protects the router’s core settings; create a long and unique password, and never reveal it to guests.

  3. Use a guest network. Guest networks separate public access from the main network. This is particularly important if you are letting a room in your own home and sharing the broadband with visitors.

  4. Secure the router. If you can do without causing interference, consider locking the unit away to prevent tampering or damage. However, ensure the power socket is easily accessible in case the router needs to be power cycled to reset it due to connectivity issues.

Lastly, think about the information guests will need to connect. Make sure passwords, network names, and any other important details are made available so they don’t have to contact you. 

QR codes work well here for security and convenience. Visit an online generator like Flowcode, pick the Wi-Fi option to enter the network’s SSID and password. Then guests can simply scan the QR code to get online!

 
Marc Figueras