Buyers Guide

Broadband buyers guide.

ADSL

Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. A form of broadband. Asymmetric means that the upload speed is different to the download speed. ADSL uses the existing telephone line and converts it into a high speed internet line. All broadband providers in the UK, except NTL and Telewest, use ADSL.

Broadband

Broadband is the standard in high speed internet, transfering files between computers at a very fast rate.

BT Wholesale

The wholesale arm of the BT Group. BT Wholesale provides the broadband network to broadband providers.

Cable

A form of broadband. A dedicated cable provides broadband access. Virgin Media is the UK's two main cable provider.

Cap

The maximum amount that you can download per month. Usually measured in GB (Gigabytes).

Contention Ratio

The maximum number of households that will share a broadband connection with you. A contention ratio of 50:1 means that 50 households may share a broadband line at the same time. The lower the contention ratio the better. Most residental packages offer a 50:1 contenton ratio. Most business packages offer 20:1.

Data Stream

A type of ADSL that is sold by BT Wholesale to a broadband provider. The broadband provider installs their own equipment into part of the BT network, therefore giving more control to the broadband provider.

Download Speed

The amount of information that can be downloaded from the internet per second.

Gigabyte (GB)

A unit of information. 1 Gigabyte equals 1,024 Megabytes.

IP Stream

A type of ADSL that is sold by BT Wholesale to a broadband provider. BT retains control of the entire network.

ISP

Internet Service Provider. The company that will provide you with your broadband service. Otherwise known as a broadband provider.

Kilobyte (kB)

A unit of information. 1 kilobyte (kB) equals 1,024 bytes.

LLU

Local Loop Unbundling. BT allows other broadband providers to install equipment into the local BT exchange and to control the line that runs from the exchange to the customers house. The broadband provider gains much more control over the network and can offer faster speeds and lower prices.

Megabyte (Mb)

A unit of information. 1 Megabyte equals 1,024 Kilobytes

Microfilter

A small device that plugs into the phone socket and splits the line into a broadband line and telephone line. The microfilter plugs into the broadband modem or router.

Modem

Converts the line into high speed internet access.

Router

Allows multiple computers to access a single broadband line at the same time.

Upload Speed

The amount of information that can be uploaded to the internet per second.

Usage Restriction

The maximum amount that you can download per month. Otherwise know as a cap.

Wireless Router

Allows multiple computers to access a single broadband line at the same time without the use of any cables or wires. More info on a Wireless Router

WiFi

Wireless Fidelity. Allows you to access the internet wirelessly using a wireless router.

WiMax

Similar to WiFi except over a much larger scale. WiMax can provide wireless internet to a large area.

The UK's main cable company is Virgin Media. Virgin Media was formed from the merger to Telewest, ntl and Virgin Mobile. The launch of Virgin Media is an exciting time for the UK. Virgin Media offers the UK's first "quad-play" bundle. Quad-play refers to a package deal that includes broadband, mobile, digital TV and home phone. Virgin Media has ruffled a few feathers in the market. NTL and Telewest's existing customer base and unique network has been combined with Virgin's reputation for offer superb customer service, excellent value for money and innovation. Unlike other competitors to BT, Virgin Media actually owns its own network. The name "cable" comes from the fact that Virgin Media install a "cable" into your home. Virgin Media offers Broadband,Home Phone, Mobile Phone and Digital TV products. You can sign up to a bundled product of two or all three products, which will save you money.

If you have cable broadband and want to set up a home wireless network, then you will need a wireless cable router.

Most UK broadband providers use a connection that is supplied to a user's house via the standard phone network. This is know as "ADSL" or Asymmetric Digital Line Subscriber.
Some Virgin Meida customers are connected to
the Internet via a dedicated cable.

BT Wholesale

Most broadband providers use the BT network. BT Wholesale is the wholesale division of the BT Group. BT Wholesale supply broadband providers with standard broadband products that the provider brands as their own and sells to the end user.

The broadband providers are charged a connection fee and a monthly fee by BT Wholesale.

Local Loop Unbundling (LLU)

In order to reduce their reliance on BT Wholesale, some providers are installing their own equipment in the phone network. They install this equipment in the local telephone (BT) exchange. This is known as Local Loop Unbundling, or LLU.

There are two main reasons why you should consider switching providers: cost and service.

You can often get a better deal and cheaper broadband package with another provider. Some providers come out with some ridiculously cheap packages to attract new customers, so why not take advantage of that?

Or you may be simply getting bad customer support from your current provider. With the vast number of broadband providers in the market, there is no need to put up with bad customer services or lack of support.
Step by step guide to switching provider

It is easy to switch provider. Simply follow our step by step guide.

1. Get a MAC

Contact your current provider to get a MAC (Migration Authorisation Code). A MAC allows you to switch or migrate to your new provider seamlessly. A word of warning: your current provider will not want to lose you and will probably pull some tricks out of the hat to keep you. If you are sure you want to leave them, stick to your guns and demand the MAC.

2. Find a new supplier and package

The cost of broadband varies depending on the package selected. There are three main costs involved: the connection fee, modem charge and monthly subscription
cost.

Connection fee

Broadband providers have to pay BT Wholesale (the wholesale division of British Telecom) for each customer that they setup.
Therefore, when you sign up to a broadband package, the provider has to pay to connect you. The cost is £47 and some providers will pass some or all of this on to you. However, most leading providers will absorb the cost and not charge you aconnection fee.

Modem charge

To connect to broadband you need a broadband modem. The cost of these modems do vary from £25 to £100. Some providers will pass this cost onto you, but most will offer you a modem free of charge.

Monthly subscription

You will have to pay a monthly subscription fee. The cost of this will vary from £9.99 per month to £45 per month and depends on the type of package you select and your geographical location.

In the simplest of terms, broadband is high speed internet access. But how fast is it and why does that matter?

Speed measurement

The broadband speed is the amount of information that you can download per second. For example, a speed of 1 Mb means that you can download up to 1 Mb of data per second from the internet to your computer.

What if you don't download?

You may think that you do not download at all. In fact, every time you surf the internet you are downloading information onto your computer in order for you to be able to see it on the screen.

Benefits of a faster speed

By having a faster connection, you will be able to surf the
internet with much greater ease. Pages will load quicker, you will be able to
send and receive email faster. You will be able to enjoy online shopping and
banking without waiting forever for a new page to open.

A faster connection also allows you to download music, games, programs and even films from the internet.
There are plenty of perfectly legal sites to choose from. This is normally cheaper than buying direct from the high street and will of course save you time.

Broadband is a form of high speed internet access. Virtually every house in the UK can now enjoy the benefits of broadband.

Having broadband opens up a whole new world of faster and easier web surfing, real time emails, music downloads, online gaming, online radio, making phone calls on the internet and much much more. A major benefit of broadband, that is often overlooked, is that you can use your phone line at the same time as being online. Broadband is always switched on, so as soon as you turn on your computer, you are connected to the internet. There is no longer a need to "dial up" for an internet connection.

How do I set it up?

All broadband providers, except Virgin Media, use at least part of the BT telephone network. When you sign up to a broadband package, you will receive your equipment in the post. This will include a broadband modem and microfilters.