|
Broadband help / buying
advice 
Menu:
Package (speed) | Package (extra's) | Unlimited | Modem | Set-up |
Security | Price | Email |
Webspace | Support
For advice on broadband terminology:
Click here
Package (speed) [Top]
This identifies the speed of broadband offered i.e.
512Kb, 2Mb etc.
256Kbps: 5x the speed of normal dial-up (56kbps) ->
read more
512Kbps: 10x the speed of normal
dial-up -> read more
1Mbps: 20x the
speed of normal dial-up -> read more
2Mbps:
40x the speed of normal dial-up -> read
more
4Mbps: 80x the speed of normal dial-up ->
read more
8Mbps: 160x the speed of normal
dial-up -> read more
256Kbps Broadband (5 times faster than dial
up)
Suitable as a starter level broadband package. Good for
occasional / general web surfing, emailing etc...but look for an unlimited
deal. Ideal for light internet users who want to be able to connect that bit
faster but don't require extra fast internet. [Recommended 256Kb
broadband deals]
512Kbps Broadband
(10 times faster than dial up)
512Kbps is a standard broadband
connection (10 times faster than dial up), meaning you can surf the internet
and download at broadband speeds of 10 times faster than you can with a dial up
modem. Good for everyday / family web surfing, sending emails and occasional
music / video downloads. Again...well worth considering an 'unlimited'
connection to avoid extra charges. [Recommended 512Kb broadband deals]
1Mb Broadband (20 times faster than dial up)
At 20x faster than a standard dial-up connection, 1Mb broadband offers
significantly faster speeds than standard 512Kbps broadband and is excellent
for the frequent internet user who would benefit from the extra speed, faster
downloads and the ability to quickly send larger email attachments. 1Mb
broadband is also useful for those users who might be looking to take advantage
of their free webspace for either storage or building a website. Speeds of 1Mb
also cater well for small domestic networks where users would like to share
their broadband access amongst two or more computers (although 2Mb+ would be
worth the extra investment). [Recommended 1Mb broadband deals]
2Mb Broadband (40 times faster than dial up)
At 40x dial-up, 2Mb broadband is mega fast, available throughout most of
the UK and ideal for the Serious Internet User or for those who want 'Rolls
Royce' Internet access. Speeds of 2Mb will also appeal to those users who
frequently download or upload large files. If your interest is online gaming,
you should also consider a 2Mb connection. [Recommended 2Mb broadband
deals]
4Mbps: 80x the speed of normal
dial-up
Speeds of 4Mbps, 8Mbps and even 10Mbps are fast becoming
available in the UK. London users will shortly be able to access speeds of
24Mbps! Speeds in excess of 4Mbps are lightening fast and offer the ultimate
internet experience with virtually instant access to most web pages and
applications, plus the ability to download feature length films in a matter of
minutes. Broadband speeds of 4Mbps open up a whole world of online digital
entertainment and communication - well worth the investment. [Recommended 4Mb+ broadband
deals]
Package (extras) [Top]
Increasingly, broadband packages are 'bundled' with
a variety of telephony deals - offering worthwhile savings on landline
telephone calls.
Such offerings typically include:
- Free weekend
calls,
- Free weekend and evening calls,
- Free anytime calls
Unlimited
 - indicates
an unlimited connection [Top]
If you would like to
surf the internet, send emails, download music, download films etc...without
the worry of higher than anticipated broadband charges, you may wish to
consider the benefits of an unlimited broadband connection. This means that you
will pay a fixed amount for your broadband, without the worry of additional
cost. Such deals are usually highly competitive and for most, it could be
considered a false economy to not opt for an unlimited broadband deals. For
recommended unlimited broadband providers:
Click
here.
Capped (Limited) broadband
Where a broadband
connection is capped or limited, the figure quoted i.e 1Mb, is the amount of
data you can download or upload each month. Data transferred between your
computer and the Internet is measured in Kilobytes (KB), Megabytes (MB) and
Gigabytes (GB). 1GB = 1024MB, 1MB = 1024KB. Where a user exceeds their limit,
they will be charged on a 'Pay-as-you-go' rate for any adittional data
downloaded or uploaded.
BT offer the below figures to illustrate what
your monthly usage allowance might enable you to do. Any combination of these
or other activities is also possible. The figures are approximate as the size
of each webpage, download, email or picture varies considerably.
| Online activity |
1Gb |
15Gb |
30Gb |
| Surfing the internet |
2 hours a day |
15 hours a day |
24 hours a day |
| Sending pictures via email (eg.
photos) |
30 a week |
250 a week |
500 a week |
| Receiving pictures via email (eg.
photos) |
30 s a week |
250 a week |
500 a week |
| Downloading music |
5 tracks a week |
250 tracks a week |
500 tracks a week |
| Downloading video clips |
5 x 2 minutes clips a week |
3 hours of clips a week |
6 hours of clips a week |
| Listening to online radio |
2 hours a week |
15 hours a week |
30 hours a week |
| Sending emails (no attachments) |
100 emails a week |
3000 emails a week |
6000 emails a week |
| Receiving emails (no attachments) |
100 emails a week |
3000 emails a week |
6000 emails a week |
Modem
-
indicates a free modem [Top]
Most broadband providers
offer a 'free' modem, saving about £50. Please be aware that this is not
always the case, particularly if you opt to order your broadband via the
telephone. Ordering your broadband online tends to offer the optimum savings
and special deals. Please also be aware that if you cancel a broadband contract
without returning your modem, you may be charged (normally applied within the
first 12 months).
Most broadband providers supply a basic USB modem,
suitable for connecting just one PC to the internet. If you would like to
connect more than one PC to the same broadband connection or are considering a
wireless network, the basic USB modem will most likely not be sufficient.
Click
here for prices / advice on routers and wireless solutions.
Set-up
-
indicates free connection [Top]
Most broadband
providers offer free connection, saving anything up to £50. This is
especially true for online orders.
Please also be aware that in most cases,
should you cancel a broadband service before the end of a contract, the
connection fee will most likely be charged to you.
Security
- indicates free anti-virus & anti-spam
As a
minimum, you should not consider connecting to the Internet without
Anti-Virus,
Anti-Spam and
Firewall protection. Whilst you can easily purchase these
services online (& in some cases download them for
free) - many broadband providers now offer these services
free.
Providers offering even higher levels of online security (Parental
controls, inclusive firewall) include: BT, Wanadoo and
AOL.
Free software:
click
here
Price [Top]
Prices
quoted within this sites comparison pages are per month (including
VAT).
With prices changing on a very regular basis, you should confirm
broadband prices with your preferred provider (along with any 'small print')
before ordering.
Other considerations [Top]
Support
You may wish to consider how your
questions will be answered should you require support from your broadband
provider. Levels of support range from free 24/7 telephone support to free
online support. Be mindful of those providers who only offer limited support
via premium rate calls. Such calls can cost upwards of 50 pence per minute!
Unlimited telephone and online support is offered by
AOL and select
BT
packages
Webspace
Several broadband deals include an
impressive allowance of free webspace. This is only relevant if you intend to
use such webspace. Options include online storage of your data (as an extension
to your PC's hard drive - perhaps for an online back-up), or for designing /
uploading a website.
Regarding data storage and online back-up,
The Utility Warehouse
offers a simple and cost effective solution called
MyDataSafe, priced at just
£2 per month.
Email
Do not assume that email services
are included with your broadband package as most provider place a limit on the
number of POP3 emails included.
Further information:
Google |
MSN |
Yahoo
|
