Nearly 90% of the UK is covered by networks that offer broadband access, which is a good thing, since for most Internet users, broadband – with its speed and low cost — is the way to go. While most people receive broadband through a phone line, it is by no means the only way to get service. If you are interested in getting broadband, the first thing to do is to make sure it is available where you live. You can find free online availability tests on a number of websites, including at broadband-finder.co.uk.

If you can get broadband via your phone line, you will have many service providers to choose from. Which one you use will likely depend on where you get the best deal. Many online sites offer broadband comparison tools that should be able to point out some of the key plan differences. Service providers (also known as ISPs) offer many extras that may be important to you, such as free UK phone calls, free security software, or a free modem. Check online for the best deals. You might want to consider cable broadband as well, especially if you already have cable in your home. If you live in an area that is more remote or rural, you may have fewer choices. Wireless connections or satellites may be your best – or only — options. Whether you live in a remote village or in the centre of London, to find the best deals, it is always a good idea to ask neighbours and friends for recommendations.

Mobile broadband has dropped in price considerably over the past 2 years.  One of the cheapest pay monthly contracts that you can get for mobile broadband is from orange the mobile phone service provider. They will give you speeds of up to 3.6MB a 1GB download limit for £9.79 on a 18 month contract. 1GB is about enough for occasional usage and email usage, although you wouldn’t want to be using it every day for more than 20 minutes as you could soon reach your 1GB download limit.

One of the best packages that is available on the market today is the Vodafone Business Mobile Broadband, which comes with a unlimited download capacity speeds of up to 7.2MB all for £18.00 excluding vat, the only thing is that you need to sign a 2 year / 24 month contract. We all know that broadband prices have dropped since its first release years ago. So what will the prices be like in 15 months time?

If you’re looking for a middle of the road package then your best option will be a package from T-mobile which will give you a good speed of up to 4.5MB and a download limit of 3GB for £10 a month on a 18 month contract.

With mobile broadband you can access the internet anywhere as long as you’re within a 3G area. All you need to do is plug your mobile broadband dongle in to your laptop and within seconds you have full access to your emails and your favourite websites.

3 Mobile dongle

The Netgear DG834G is one of the most common ADSL / Broadband routers that you can find today, the reliability of this router is second to none and it has been supplied in mass by Sky and The Post Office as a free router with their ADSL packages.

The Netgear DG834G can be picked up brand new from your local electronic shop like Curry’s, Dixon and even Argos from as little as £40 although prices may vary slightly from each high street retailer.

If you purchase a DG834G then you’re getting 5 great products in 1, the modem will handle your ADSL connection and keep it up and running, Router this is the function that will serve the internet out to multiple PC’s,  Firewall this will stop the nasty hackers and various other types of PC based attacks, 4-port switch this handles the connections between four devices that are plugged in wired or wirelessly and finally the wireless function which allows you to surf the net anywhere in your home without using wires.

With only a basic knowledge of PC’s you should be able to setup your new Netgear router in about 15 minutes and a pro can set these routers up within minutes, with wireless security as well.

If you’re looking for a first wireless router or upgrading from an older wireless router then you will definitely see speed and signal increases.  If you’re struggling with wireless signal in your house due to it been large or having thick walls then you maybe benefit from trying some of the latest N range routers which offer up to 15x speed increase and 5x coverage.

Netgear DG834G 54Mbps

BT does four Broadband packages but we are focusing on their third option which BT call Unlimited.

BT’s option 3 Unlimited will give you the wireless BT Home Hub and the Hub Phone.
The Hub acts as your broadband / ADSL Router this can be connected via cable if you don’t have a wireless laptop or a wireless Dongle. Also remember you will need a longer modem lead if you’re not connecting via a wireless connection.

Option 3 will give you cheap internet phone calls which are made via the Home Hubs Phone.  There is no download limit on Option 3 hence the name Unlimited, which is the ideal option if you’re a heavy user which will include those of you that download movies and music, stream video and gamers.

BT gives you 5GB of space on the BT Digital Vault, which is your own personal online vault for backing up personal photos and important data. This can be upgraded to 50GB of storage with an automatic backup for a small monthly charge.

You’ll benefit from the free Antivirus program that BT give you which is McAfee is this is your first online experience, but most people will be upgrading or swapping suppliers so you will more than likely have a antivirus program weather its AVG or Norton Internet Security.

Option 3 will cost you £18.59 for the first three months and then £24.46 after based on a 18 month contract.

You’ll get 500 Wi-Fi minutes a month at BT Open Zone enabled areas which is ideal for the commuter amongst us.

BT Home Hub