What is Broadband Internet Access?
Broadband as it is more commonly known, is a fast method of accessing the world wide web. Only a few years ago most people had to use a method called Dial-up. This method of accessing the internet needed a modem connected to your computer and a telephone connection. This type of access was OK for static text based web sites, but these are not so common these days.
We are now making more demands of our web surfing experience so a Super Fast Access is something people demand in order to enjoy this passtime. We all enjoy viewing video clips, lots of photographs and pictures, music and film downloads and playing games online.
Broadband Internet access can still be delivered to your home or business via a telephone cable, as is mostly the case in this country. The next popular option is cable internet, but this isn't that widely available.
Why Do I Need Broadband?
No one needs broadband internet access. However, websites are getting more complex in terms of function and content which in turn makes them larger in size. This has to be downloaded along the telephone line and into your computer. If you only have dial-up then this proces will obviously take longer than a broadband connection. Another reason you might like to take up broadband is email. You will be able to send and receive far more on broadband.
I remember about five years ago my parents were sent an email from abroad that had a few photos attached. They couldn't download them because the dial-up connection timed-out before the email could complete. That made their decision to go broadband the next week!
Check your Internet Connection Speed
Take a look at the speed your connection is working at right now. Simply click on the start speed test button below. You might be pleasantly, maybe you won't!
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Types of Broadband
The two most common types of Broadband connection are ADSL and Cable. Cable is better in many ways because it's a fibre optic cable that runs into your home or business. It has far more flexability than ADSL in terms of speed and also is less restrictive of distance or number of people using the connection at any one time. However, ADSL is the most widely used type of Broadband connection in this country.
ADSL stands for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. It basically uses an existing telephone wire to send the data into your router in your home of business and at a faster pace than older types of connection. A basic 1Mb broadband connection is about 20 times faster than the old Dial-up method. However, today a lot of broadband offers are for the so called 'Super Fast Broadband', which is anything from 8Mb upwards to maybe 20Mb..
Broadband Speeds
A few years ago when broadband internet access first came about, speeds were as little as 512Kb (0.5Mb). This, however, was still a lot faster than the other internet option of dial-up which offered a speed of about 56kb.
Over the years and technology progressed, so internet access speeds have also progressed. Most broadband packages offer a lowest speeds of up to 8Mb and some offer as much as 24Mb.
Wireless Broadband
Wireless broadband allows you to have more than one computer connected to your internet connection at any one time.
Some broadband suppliers offer a wireless router as part of the package you buy, so you have wireless broadband from the beginning. There are providers that offer this free, as in the Tiscali broadband package. To make use of this facility, your computer will need a wireless capability. Most modern laptop computers already have this built in, you may need an extra wireless network card for your desktop PC.
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