Compare Broadband Packages

All Broadband Packages

Unlimited Broadband

ADSL Broadband

Cable Broadband

Mac Broadband

Free Broadband

2Mb Broadband

4Mb Broadband

8Mb Broadband

16Mb Broadband

Broadband Guide

What is Broadband?

Broadband Speed

Broadband Downloads

Broadband Costs

Broadband Security

Broadband Extras

Wireless Broadband

Networking Broadband

Broadband Television

Business Broadband

VoIP

Broadband Providers

AOL Broadband

BT Total Broadband

Fasthosts Broadband

Madasafish Broadband

NTL Broadband

Orange Broadband

Seriously Internet Broadband

Talk Talk Broadband

Telewest Blueyonder

Tiscali Broadband

Toucan Broadband

Virgin Broadband

Useful Links

Ofcom.org.uk

Cheap Broadband

What are the advantages?

Introduction to the benefits a broadband connection to the internet offers plus a brief explanation as to how it works.


All Packages    Unlimited    ADSL    Cable    Mac    Business

The widespread introduction of broadband has revolutionised the way we use the internet. We can now access information almost instantaneously, have real time message conversations with friends, download music, watch high quality TV and even make phone calls using our broadband connection, but what exactly is it and how is it different to the dial up connections which first brought the internet to our homes?

Broadband vs Dialup

Dial up connects you to the internet using your regular phone line. As it runs on the same frequency as that used for voice transmission, once you have connected to the internet you are unable to make or receive calls until you disconnect. This is an inconvenience avoided by broadband as is the laborious process of the dial up itself, the long waits associated with loading web pages and the necessity of keeping an eye on the time so as not to run up huge bills.

Once you have signed up to broadband you are always connected to the internet. This means that you can check mail, search for information and download files from the minute you switch your computer on. As the majority of ISPs (internet service providers) offer broadband on a pay per month basis, you are able to access the web as frequently as you like, making it an unimaginably flexible option.

Dial up is often associated with providing slow, often unreliable connections to the internet, which are just about ok for checking emails but not for much else (using it to download movies would be almost inconceivable). Broadband is able to bring you speeds of anything between 10 and 100 times as fast as dial up. Meaning that web pages will load almost instantly, enabling you to chat in real time, either using a messaging service or face to face using web cameras and also making it possible to download music, videos and even live broadcasts such as concerts (this is known as streaming). The ever increasing speeds and download capacities of broadband are opening up a whole new interactive face of the internet that wasn’t even conceivable with traditional dial up connections.

Technological Improvements

Cable and ADSL are the most popular methods for connecting to the net using broadband. ADSL is the most popular and available method at the moment as it uses the phone line in much the same way as dial up, but runs on a frequency range higher than that used for voice transmission enabling your computer to be connected to the internet without creating any disruption to calls. Cable broadband is also a popular option as it is supplied by cable TV companies and so is often offered as part of a comprehensive cable package; however this also means that its availability is less widespread.

The technology used by broadband means that by creating wired or wireless networks, it is possible for several people to access the internet at once using the same internet connection. This ability to create broadband networks is incredibly useful and cost effective for homes with several computers and small businesses alike.

Developments in broadband technology are happening all the time and as transmission speeds increase, the way we use the internet will continue to advance. Whether you use the net simply to send email or to frequently download music and videos, there will be a broadband package with a speed and download limit perfect for your needs, so that you can use broadband to bring you fast, more reliable access to the World Wide Web.