Choosing a Broadband Service

There are many things to consider when choosing a broadband service. Here are a few explanations:

• Connection speeds: Normal Telephone is approx 50 kb per second
• Broadband (called ADSL) is typically provided at 512 kb per second (10 times faster)
• Broadband can be supplied from 150 kb (only 3 times faster) up to 2 Mb (40 times faster)

Requirements: You must have a computer compatible with the service, typically you will need:

• Windows 98 second edition or above
• Pentium 2 processor or above (or equivalent)
• A BT phone-line

Additional requirements: You will need to purchase the following items (available from the company that provides the broadband service):

• Modem (suitable ADSL type for broadband)
• Micro-filter (to ensure voice calls go to the telephone, and data calls go through the PC)
• Broadband contract via your choice of service provider

Optional requirements: The following items may be required dependent on your personal needs:

• Antivirus protection including spam control (to prevent viruses and unwanted emails)
• Parental control (to block out chosen material)
• Firewall (to ensure other people cannot access your sensitive data)
• Technical support when it goes wrong (the basic services often offer a premium rate support line)

Connecting two or more computers:

• Ethernet Modem and router (for connecting more than one computer to the Internet)
• Ethernet cables (to be installed between the Router and each computer)
• Wireless adapters if you don’t want to use hard wires; also allows laptops to be used outside)
• Broadband contract via your choice of service provider (eg BT)

Reduced price options: There are many special offers that may suit an individual:

• Reduced speed options (150kb or 256kb are slower, but still significantly faster than the standard telephone line)
• Maximum usage limits (this sets a limit on how much material you can download or upload)
• Maximum surf times (the length of time you are transferring information with the Internet)
• Pay-as-you-go (eg Virgin – will be expensive if you use it more than you expected)

Additional services: There are a huge number of extras you can buy / subscribe to, a few examples:

• 1MB or 2MB on the Fossebridge exchange (normally a significantly higher monthly charge)
• Online technical support for real-time testing of your system and transfer speeds
• Contended ratio (identifies the number of registered users per connection; 50:1 is a common standard)
• Gaming service to connect your Playstation 2 or Xbox directly with the Internet (requires Router as above)

Typical Cost: For a typical set up of:

• One Pentium computer with Windows 98, 2000 or XP
• Connected to the Internet at 512 kb (10 times the telephone speed)
• Unlimited amount of Internet use
• Signing up to a company for a 12 months contract, providing you:
• A micro-filter that connects straight into the regular telephone socket
• Plug in your normal telephone on one side of the Micro-filter
• Plug in your new modem into the other side of the Micro-filter
• Plug your computer into the modem (normally via the USB cable)

You can expect to pay between £270 and £350 for everything for one year of use for the above. The costs normally comprise a Connection fee, the monthly charge for Internet use and the cost of the modem and required cables. Other fees may be charged so always ask.

These are a few of the cheaper options:

Typical set-up as listed above

For business users or homes with multiple computers it may be worth considering the more robust services offered by the likes of DEMON.NET with packages starting at £39/mth for 2-10 computers (or more). The contention ratio is also better at 20:1. It’s also possible to share your connection with neighbours using a router modem with virtual LAN ability (separate PC to Internet) line for each house. If 4 share, then only one router is required and the monthly cost is approx.£10/mth/each house. This is legal!