Broadband Guide
So what is this broadband mallarkey all about, then?
One word. Speed.
Speed speed speed.
The chances are that you are now using dial up to access the web. Typically pages will load for you in 10 seconds. Others will take less, some will take longer and others you will just give up on.
With broadband those 10 second pages will probably load in less than a second, so will some of the slower ones. Even many of those you give up on will load in seconds. And that's on a 512 Kb connection. At higher speeds (2Mb services are common, 10Mb are beginning to appear) things will be faster still.
So What does this Actually Mean?
- Surf between 10 and 40 times faster than dial up
- Always on. Say goodbye to modem squawk. Log on in the morning (taking, ooh 20 seconds) and that's it
- Free up your phone line. Your phone is not busy when you are online
- View high resolution pictures without waiting an age for them to download
- Download music (legally, of course) in around a minute for a typical track
- Access high quality video and audio web content
- Send and receive large documents by email
- Play online gaming either through your PC or on games consoles
Or, to put it another way, realise the full potential of the internet.
What do I need?
You will need a computer and browser software, but you probably know that bit.There are different methods of getting broadband and you will need different things for each method.
ADSL
Known in full as Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, this uses existing phone networks. Your phone connection point is modified before installation and you need a high speed modem. Many broadband providers offer this as part of the package. Your broadband service provider will advise you whether your telephone exchange can receive this service.
Cable
This requires a cable connection to be installed into your house - the same as used for cable tv and cable phones. If you have these services already this may be a good option. The service providers will tell you (usually a simple postcode lookup on their websites)whether you live in an area which can receive a broadband cable service. You will also need a special cable modem - again some providers give you this as part of your package.
Wireless
It is also possible to get broadband with wireless technology. A receiver sends the signals through to connection points inside your house. There are few wireless service providers in the UK at present and it is not possible to receive wireless broadband services in all areas.
Satellite
Satellite access is available anywhere in the UK so for some people in remote areas it will be the only option. It is however, expensive to install and you may need planning permission for your dish. If you need to upload as well as download, things start to get really expensive.
Okay, you are a bit more informed than you were a couple of minutes ago, so its time to check out some top offers.
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