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This guide can provide you essential information about Broadband – which gives you unexpected experience on surfing on the Internet. The speed of broadband is tens of times as dialing-up through a modem. So, you will never suffer a boring time when waiting for a picture downloading. Some basic items will be introduced in this guide with simple words.
What is Broadband?Broadband is a way to connect your computer to the internet. Comparing to the old way to dial-up using a modem, broadband is much faster. The speed of dial-up method reaches up to 56K/s at most, while today most broadband deals has a speed up to 2M/s, and almost all providers can offer broadband of which the speed can reach 8M/s. This speed is over 100 times quicker than dial-up connection.
How is broadband different?A broadband connection is actually not all that different from a dial-up connection. The equipment is very similar - a different kind of modem, but still a modem, and in many cases the connection is still made through your telephone line. The difference is that you'll have an Internet connection that is always on, 24 hours a day. Normally you pay a flat monthly fee, no matter how often you use the Internet. And a broadband connection is much faster. How much faster? Read on...
what will I be able to do with my broadband connection?You'll be able to do things that just weren't practical with a dial-up connection. You'll be able to:
Watch video clips and listen to music in real time, including live broadcasts, download music, software, film trailers and other files much more quickly, play games online.
Do everything you could do before, just much more quickly!
Watch video clips and listen to music in real time, including live broadcasts, download music, software, film trailers and other files much more quickly, play games online.
Do everything you could do before, just much more quickly!
Installing the broadbandInstalling broadband is not troublesome, as we have introduced in the introduction. However, you need to know two things before you click the button and commit to buy a deal. First, there is an installation cost.
Providers charge you for the installation fee as it has to send some staff to your house to arrange lines and install modem. They also have to do some work and configuration on their servers and computers. The installation fee also contains the cost of an ADSL or Cable Modem.
However, due to the fierce competition in the market, many providers now offer some deals with free installation, and give customers free modems. Some deals even give out a free wireless modem which is more expensive if you sign a contract. Some deals may a little bit expensive but the installation is free or will give you a free wireless modem. Thus, the total cost may be less.
Another thing is, if you ask for a new phone line, or you need a cable broadband, usually they will contact you to make an appointment with you. You should have someone at home at the time appointed because provider will send some staff to install lines and get your computer connected.
Providers charge you for the installation fee as it has to send some staff to your house to arrange lines and install modem. They also have to do some work and configuration on their servers and computers. The installation fee also contains the cost of an ADSL or Cable Modem.
However, due to the fierce competition in the market, many providers now offer some deals with free installation, and give customers free modems. Some deals even give out a free wireless modem which is more expensive if you sign a contract. Some deals may a little bit expensive but the installation is free or will give you a free wireless modem. Thus, the total cost may be less.
Another thing is, if you ask for a new phone line, or you need a cable broadband, usually they will contact you to make an appointment with you. You should have someone at home at the time appointed because provider will send some staff to install lines and get your computer connected.
Broadband contract and monthly chargeUsually providers will ask you to sign a 12-month or 18-month contract with the provider for using their broadband service. Signed the contract, you have to pay a flat fee each month. The monthly cost varies according to the different levels of your broadband, from as low as £5 per month to over £30 per month.
Usually, the monthly cost for an 18-month contract is a little lower than a 12-month contract, as the provider ties you longer time and will get more money during the whole contract time. If you can anticipate you will use the broadband for quite a long time, the total cost will be less by choosing long term contract.
Some providers like BT have deals with special price for the first three months which is only half of the original price. After three months, the price will rise back to the normal price.
But for some people who use Internet rarely or not regularly, such contract is not worth. For example, some students use Internet at home only in holidays. In term time, they are away most of the time. Signing such contract is a waste of money. Luckily, now some providers offer broadband with no minimum contract time.
Usually, the monthly cost for an 18-month contract is a little lower than a 12-month contract, as the provider ties you longer time and will get more money during the whole contract time. If you can anticipate you will use the broadband for quite a long time, the total cost will be less by choosing long term contract.
Some providers like BT have deals with special price for the first three months which is only half of the original price. After three months, the price will rise back to the normal price.
But for some people who use Internet rarely or not regularly, such contract is not worth. For example, some students use Internet at home only in holidays. In term time, they are away most of the time. Signing such contract is a waste of money. Luckily, now some providers offer broadband with no minimum contract time.
Is broadband difficult to install?Not at all! First, you sign up with an Internet Service Provider (or 'ISP'). The ISP will supply you with your Broadband connection. If you already have an ISP shop around - other companies might offer you a better deal. If you are signing up for a contract, most ISPs will arrange a date to connect you up and supply you with everything you need to get started. As well as connecting you up, most ISPs will send you a CD. All you need to do is put this into your computer and follow the step-by-step instructions. Some companies offer a home installation service and will send over an engineer to set up your Broadband connection for you.