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Tips For Choosing the Right Broadband Provider
Broadband is going through a bit of an upheaval in the UK. Since the release of the Government`s final Digital Britain report earlier in 2009, the race is now on to provide universal broadband connectivity for all UK residents by 2012. A minimum download speed of 2Mbps is the target and a new raft of technology will help to spread high-speed connections nationwide. However, the report has also been criticised by many, first for the 50p tax which every landline telephone customer will incur on their monthly bill to pay for new fibre optic networks offering faster connections. Others believe that the problem of rural broadband speeds and coverage are not properly addressed.
With the multiple broadband technologies and the associated milieu of providers, it can be hard to pick the provider that is right for you. The first consideration is local availability. ADSL broadband is the most common and widely available as it uses your existing copper telephone line. 65% of UK households could access new 20Mbps ADSL connections offered by BT, Plusnet, Orange and various other providers, whilst others will be limited to a maximum of 8Mbps or less.
Cable broadband is available in just over 50% of UK homes and there is a sole consumer provider in the form of Virgin Media. Cable speeds are higher and more consistent across the user base than ADSL, but its limited availability makes it out of the question for millions of potential broadband customers.
Mobile broadband is the first truly wireless solution the world has seen, though it has limitations of its own. Mobile broadband coverage is far from universal and varies depending on which provider you pick, so you will need to check coverage maps carefully before you commit. Speeds of mobile broadband connections are slower than ADSL and considerably inadequate when compared to Cable broadband. However, you do not need to pay line rental on top of your monthly bill and you can use it anywhere in the UK so it is more flexible.
Choosing a provider will also depend on your usage requirements. Having a higher speed connection with unlimited downloads will usually be more expensive than a more modest package, but if you only send emails and surf the web sporadically then this could be money down the drain. If you want a better monthly deal on your broadband it is often advisable to opt for a provider that offers a bundle deal, including other services like home phone and digital TV. Many people enjoy the lower cumulative costs and higher levels of convenience of packages which include broadband on top of other amenities.
The setup and installation of the broadband technology may also influence your decision. ADSL broadband requires minimal setup, with most providers including a free wireless router to get you connected. Cable broadband will usually require the installation of a cable line in your property, so there are often setup charges. Mobile broadband is the simplest, with a simple USB dongle representing the only piece of technology you need to get connected. |
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