Broadband in Simple Terms
Broadband is as important to our country's continued growth as the motorways were in the 20th century and with millions of customers around the UK taking advantage of broadband internet connections now is the best time to get connected.
Broadband has been growing ever since it came to wide public availability at the start of the 21st century and the figures charting the uptake of broadband are always increasing despite the economic squeeze that the credit crunch has put on other industries.
Because broadband involves quite a few different technologies and connection types it can be confusing when you've had little experience before, but hopefully by explaining the basics in simple terms you'll be better equipped to choose a service provider and get online.
Type of Broadband
ADSL - If you've got a BT land line then you'll almost certainly be eligible for an ADSL broadband connection and tons of companies offer ADSL service so there are bargains to be had. Speeds vary depending on the area you live in and the package and provider you opt for, but most ADSL packages offer up to 8Mbps download speed, more than enough for most people.
Cable Broadband - Around 50% of homes are located in cabled areas and cable packages are competitive with ADSL packages but have the added bonus of much faster download speeds (up to 50Mbps) if you want to spend a lot on your connection. Moderately priced packages are also available and you'll need to take a cable phone line with any cable broadband connection.
Mobile Broadband - If you've got a laptop then mobile broadband will allow you to connect to the internet anywhere within range of a mobile phone broadcasting mast. Using 3G technology you can perform all the tasks of a landline broadband connection but without the limitation of staying in one location. Coverage levels and speeds vary, so check online to see if your area is covered.
Choosing a Provider
Choosing a provider can be tricky because of the sheer range of choice, but the one thing you should definitely do is to head online and use broadband price comparison to save hours of your time and tons of money. Just by entering your postcode and phone number you'll be presented with the best packages available in your area and you can modify the results to your tastes, privileging things like low cost, fast connection and minimum contract length to name but a few. From the comparison site you'll be able to visit the provider's site and buy the package you've chosen.
Switching Provider
If you've already got a broadband connection but are unsatisfied with your service then the best thing to do is compare broadband online to pick your new provider. You'll need to contact your current provider to let them know you're leaving and they'll provide you with a Migration Authorisation Code (MAC) which you can pass on to your new provider. The transfer date and switchover will be handled automatically.
