Guide to Broadband services

What is a Broadband - Internet connection ?

Broadband is a method of providing a high speed connection to the internet. Usually this involved signing up to a broadband provider and selecting a type of package. Packages vary between providers, but the common choices are speed of the connection and charge limits for usage, connection type and free or extra costs for connection equipment.

Speed of your connection can be misleading, most low speed connections have are no longer offered and around the slowest available is 512kb connection. The 512kb line refers to the amount of data that can be sent - the larger the number the more data that can be sent and received. Uploading (data, files and images being sent out) and downloading (data, files and images being requested by you) speeds can vary and often the download speed is far greater than the upload speed, this is partly due to the usage of a broadband line. In addition to the speed of your connection you must understand that broadband operates a shared facility for you and a pocket of other broadband uses in your area, so you do not have a dedicated line as such. The sharing usually makes little difference to your internet speed as most normal broadband home users do not generate enough traffic to effect your surfing. You must also remember that even if you have a very fast connection, the computer you are communicating with online may not and often speeds vary between websites due to the website providers connection.

There are many broadband providers and as with a traditional phone line, the suppliers lease the use existing systems provided by companies like BT and charge you, the consumer a monthly or fixed price for providing you a broadband service through there systems.

Larger broadband providers include Tiscalli, Toucan, and BT. There are many others and some of the less well known companies provide a very good service or provide extra services, perhaps a faster line, but to a restricted area.

Broadband package details :-

Usually the connection speed is advertised by download speed and common speeds are 2Mb, 4Mb and 8Mb. (Mb is a measurement of data, Mega bit) the upload speed is usually between 128kb (kilo bit) and 1Mb. Download limits normally apply to these connection speeds. This means that a count of the amount of data is gathered by the service provider and when you reach a certain amount you will be charged for the extra - see the package details for limits and charge amounts. In normal use you are unlikely to hit the limit, unless you are dealing with very large files or images. Unlimited download deals are available but usually on slower lines e.g. 512kb lines.

Most deals now include free connection and free hardware (modems for connection to your phone line and computer).

As broadband uses the telephone line to communicate you will need a small plug in converter for each of your telephones. The broadband deal may include a few of these converters free, but it is worth checking the small print. You can by extra converters and they are relatively inexpensive at under £10 each.

Your broadband modem, may come pre installed or require connection to a pc via USB. A CD with installation software is generally provided and installation is usually straight forward.

Recent e-mails that have been received at mylocalfinance.co.uk indicate that a never used before broadband line can be up and running with 3 - 5 days, however if you are switching provider you will need to receive a code to give to your new provider in order to switch, which seems to slow down the process. Worse still are a few cases when individuals have moved house and want to activate a broadband connection on a line which already has broadband, this has in the cases we have been informed of, created long delays in starting up a broadband service.

In most cases broadband in available within 14 days, but check with your provider for an expected connection date.