Broadband Internet – Buyers Guide

The following guide has been put together to help you understand broadband internet and to aid with making the right decision when choosing your provider.

What is broadband internet?

Broadband internet is means of allowing you to use your personal computer to access the internet.  Traditionally, many homes had access to the internet via the telephone line, known as dial-up.  The dial up concept uses a piece of equipment called a modem. 

With the ever booming technological age the use of dial-up modems is becoming a thing of the past.  The demands of internet users has grown hugely and the internet is now used for a number of reasons such as communicating with people, for leisure purposes and to carry out business.  It is for these reasons people required faster means of access and there came the evolution of broadband internet.

How does broadband internet work?

Unlike dial-up internet, once you have chosen a broadband provider you can use the internet all the time as it is always on.  Previously users would dial up and use a pay as you go type of service similar to turning on a tap and closing it once you have finished.

Broadband internet can be up to a 100 times more faster than a dial up connection which would allow you to access internet web pages a lot quicker, listen to streaming music seamlessly and download various types of media very quickly.

What type of broadband internet do I need?

There are many broadband internet providers on the market and all of them will offer different packages to suit your precise needs, however the two key types available at present is ADSL and Cable.

ADSL which stands for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line is generally offered by telephone providers as it uses your existing telephone line, such as your BT line.  Examples of ADSL broadband internet providers include - BT Total Broadband, Talk Talk, Plusnet and 02 Broadband.  With ADSL broadband users can still use their telephone line to make calls at the same time as accessing the internet.

With cable broadband you connect to the internet without the use of your telephone line, instead a cable provider such as Virgin Media would install a dedicated cable connection to your home.

Choosing a broadband provider

When choosing a broadband provider there are a number of key factors you need to consider.

Assess your needs – Before you commit to any type of internet connection it is important you make a note of what you actually need to use the internet for.  Are you likely to be an occasional user or will you be using it to download music or movies.

Access  -  Decide on what and who will be accessing the internet, do you have a standalone desktop computer or laptop or possibly even both.  Internet broadband providers can offer wireless modems which can allow you to access the internet from your laptop anywhere in your house or even your garden.  The range will depend on the distance between the laptop and the wireless broadband router.  Not all laptops may be able to connect wirelessly so check whether your laptop has inbuilt wireless functionality.  If your laptop does not have this functionality then you can purchase a wireless network card that will allow the connectivity you need.

The cost of broadband internet

Just like you would if you were looking for a new gas or electricity provider you can shop around to find the best deal.  In general you will be expected to pay a flat rate monthly fee which varies upon the connection speed you opt for.  Additionally, further savings can be made by bundling your television, telephone and internet package into one.

Also, lookout for any set-up fees you may incur as some providers may have free connection offers and could save you around £30.00 set up.

Broadband internet advice

When choosing a broadband internet provider make sure you are aware of the following.

• Don’t tie yourself into a long contract unless you are happy to do so.
• Check for any hidden fees that may be involved.
• Ask whether there are any limitations to use such as capped downloads.
• Don’t forget to pencil in your contract end date to see if there any better deals available.