How do I get broadband?
Get broadband and you’ll have internet access that is much quicker than old-fashioned dial-up. Not only are speeds many times faster, but your telephone line will be freed up as well.
Broadband refers to a wide range or ‘band’ of frequencies delivered down a telephone line. You may have heard of ‘bandwidth’. Put simply, the wider the band, the more services can be delivered. By converting the telephone wire, a much wider range of data can be supplied.
Anyone still using dial-up should seriously consider upgrading to broadband. Coverage now reaches 99% of the UK and there are hundreds of internet service providers (ISPs).
Different types of broadband
Broadband can be delivered in a number of ways, including ADSL, cable, satellite, fibre-optics and mobile. ADSL availability is highest - visit Broadband Checker to see what options exist for your postcode.
ADSL broadband is delivered down telephone lines, while cable and satellite customers may be able to get broadband via the cable or satellite link.
Mobile broadband is growing in popularity. Users connect via a special device called a ‘dongle’, or via a data card. Some laptops have built-in reception.
An advantage of mobile broadband is that you can take it around with you, as the name suggests. It is still in its early days, however, and there are drawbacks, such as usage limits, relatively slow speeds and unstable connections.
Fibre-optics are the newest form of broadband, and the fastest. They need to be installed into your house by an engineer, but are still not available in many parts of the country.
Pick the right package
Choosing from the countless broadband providers is tricky, but there are online tools to help you. Specialist broadband comparison websites (see Elsewhere on the web box) will make your task much easier.
However, it will help to have some idea of what you want. For emailing, web browsing and light downloading, a basic package will probably suffice. If you are planning to download a lot of films and enjoy online gaming, you will probably need a package that will allow you to receive more data at faster speeds. Bear in mind that more advanced packages are likely to be more expensive.
And remember that advertised speeds are rarely achieved in practice and will drop as you get further away from the telephone exchange.
Download limits apply to some cheaper packages. From experience, it can be annoying to keep track of your usage and easy to exceed limits - so beware of these so-called ‘capped’ deals. Remember that you can always upgrade.
If you are moving on from dial-up, it may be simplest to use your existing ISP.
Equipment and installation
Your ISP should supply all the hardware you need, including routers. They allow several computers to connect to the internet at once - very useful for households with more than one internet user.
You should receive ADSL filters and cables for connecting your computer to the router/modem, unless it is wireless.
Your telephone line will be activated for broadband by your ISP. Some will charge for the service.
ISPs are increasingly providing CD-ROMs containing step-by-step instructions for setting up broadband yourself. However, if the process seems too daunting they should provide engineers - but expect to pay a fee.
Andrew Stucken
Andrew cut his journalistic teeth with the local press, and has since moved on to writing for major national websites specialising in technology and money-saving. He has also written for The Times and other national newspapers.
