Xbox – Does XBox 360 Live require a broadband connection

xbox-live

My son wants an XBox 360 and insists it will work online with it's own WiFi and not use my download despite the fact that I have turned off my broadband WiFi. I think it needs an external broadband connection and am even more convinced now I've been on this site. Please confirm I'm right – my teenage son thinks his mother is just out to spoil his fun!

Best Answer

The short answer is that the Xbox LIVE service requires an internet connection to work. Wi-Fi itself cannot access the internet, you need a gateway in the home, usually a modem, DSL modem or cable modem. Wi-Fi itself is not an internet connection, but merely a mechanism that the devices in your house can use to talk to one another and to your router/gateway, your real connection to the internet.

So if your broadband Wi-Fi is disabled, the Xbox 360 will not be able to access the internet unless it is turned back on. Note that WiFi isn't necessary, the Xbox 360 can also use an Ethernet cable as well.

Here is a link to the Xbox LIVE Getting Started page, which should outline the requirements for using Xbox LIVE.

Note that to just play games on disc, LIVE is not required, but it is for things like validating downloadable content and playing multiplayer over the internet.