Broadband needn’t be confusing if you use our FAQ.
- What is broadband?
- How is broadband connected to my home?
- How does ADSL and cable broadband work?
- What is ADSL broadband?
- Why is broadband better than ‘dial up’ ?
- Is broadband expensive?
- Is broadband available in my area?
- Do I need a phone line to use broadband?
- Will I need to get another phone line?
- What equipment do I need?
What is broadband?
Broadband is a collective term used to describe a digital high-speed internet connection which allows more information to be transmitted quicker and easier.
How is broadband connected to my home?
Most home users receive broadband via either
ADSL: Your analogue BT line is converted into an Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) via a modem at your home and at the BT phone exchange.
Or Cable: Your home computer is connected to the internet via a high-speed cable modem using a cable network.
There are other technologies available, such as satellite, radio or optical wireless and power line. As these methods tend to be relatively expensive or not yet widely available, uSwitch.com doesn’t yet include them on its broadband comparison service.
How does ADSL and cable broadband work?
As broadband uses a wider bandwidth, it can ‘split’ the telephone line so that both voice and data can be transmitted.
What is ADSL broadband?
ADSL is the most common type of broadband as it uses your standard phone line and is supplied via BT. By converting your analogue phone line to a digital line the transmission potential of your telephone line can be used to simultaneously transmit data at high speed. Compare dial up which works at a maximum speed of 56Kbits/sec with ADSL which works at speeds of 512Kbits/sec and even higher!
Why is broadband better than ‘dial up’?
Firstly broadband is significantly faster than a standard 56k modem. So if you need to download large files such as video clips or MP3s broadband is your best option. A further benefit is that it’s always ‘on’, from the moment you log on to your PC to the moment you log off. No more twiddling your thumbs waiting to be connected!
Is broadband expensive?
Most broadband packages are ‘fixed price’ allowing you to pay a set amount each month no matter how high your usage, so no nasty surprises in your monthly bill.
Be aware though some suppliers have additional costs for set up charges or broadband equipment that needs to be bought separately.
Our broadband comparison service details any additional costs to the monthly fixed cost.
Is broadband available in my area?
Broadband availability, while wide reaching is not yet available to all British locations. As technology develops, more and more people will be able to receive broadband into their homes.
Enter your postcode into our compare and switch service and we can check to see if the top suppliers offer broadband in your area.
Do I need a phone line to use broadband?
Most broadband packages use ADSL technology and therefore need a BT phone line that can support broadband. There are some packages that connect to broadband via a cable modem and a cable network such as ntl or Telewest and so you do not need a BT phone line.
However you connect you still need to live in an area where the local phone exchange or cable network is broadband-enabled. Check your local area.
Will I need to get another phone line?
No. One of the benefits of broadband is that it allows you to run your internet connection and your phone line simultaneously.
What equipment do I need?
Some broadband suppliers will provide you with a modem, filters and installation software. This can be free or involve a charge. Our comparison service will include information about individual packages and what they provide.
