Internet – Dial-up or Broadband?

August 31st, 2009 | Broadband Comparison, Broadband Deals, Broadband Providers

In layman terms, for people who want Internet access at home there are basically two ways to get it: dial-up and broadband. The main differences are cost and speed. With dial-up service, the Internet moves slowly over your phone line. When you are using the Internet, you can’t speak on the phone. Plus, when you are waiting for an Internet page to connect or for a download to begin, you are paying for it through your phone bill. With broadband, you get faster Internet and you can use the phone at the same time you are using the Internet. If you have tried to phone home while your kids were online, you know what a benefit this is. With most broadband packages, you have unlimited downloads and unlimited usage, so if your kids are downloading games and chatting online with friends, you are paying just one price for both services.

Today, most people receiving Internet service for the first time choose broadband. It’s faster, and with prices being what they are (the cheapest rates are just £5 a month for unlimited Internet access), it makes sense. There are over 100 broadband packages, so it is important to compare features and get the service that best suits you and your family. Some packages include free, unlimited UK phone calls; some provide a wireless router, which is great if you use a laptop at home or more than one computer. Some offer speeds of up to 8Mbps, while some offer up to 24Mbps. With so many options to choose from, call your phone company to check out their best deals or search online under ‘broadband comparison’.

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Broadband Reviews – TalkTalk

August 28th, 2009 | Broadband Deals, Broadband Providers, Broadband Reviews

TalkTalk entered the fixed-line broadband market as a relative latecomer in 2003, but, since then it has become a leader in its field. It experienced a few minor setbacks along the way (such as when it offered free broadband as an introductory come-on and couldn’t keep up with the flood of interest), but it seems to have settled down in its comfortable position as an industry leader. TalkTalk offers competitive prices for its broadband deals, as any decent broadband comparison will show. Their deals include packages for telephone usage and broadband/ADSL, and TalkTalk’s TurboBoost broadband is one of the best and fastest ADSL hook-ups available.

TalkTalk is a subsidiary of Carphone Warehouse and in the six short years since it entered the broadband market, the company has amassed close to 3 million customers in the UK. This makes it the third-largest broadband provider in the UK, with only Virgin Media and BT ahead of it in subscriptions. (Incidentally, Carphone Warehouse also owns AOL and Tiscali, which technically makes it even bigger than BT and Virgin Media.) TalkTalk’s speedy packages are attractive and most of their customers are connected via an ‘unbundled’ telephone exchange, which means they enjoy better broadband speeds. With the TurboBoost package, TalkTalk customers can now take advantage of even more speed, more download capacity, more call time, and extra minutes on their mobiles. Packages like this – which cost £6.49 a month plus another £4 for the ‘boost’ – are why TalkTalk has reached the Top Three and plans to stay there for the duration.

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Broadband Reviews – O2 Broadband

August 25th, 2009 | Broadband Deals, Broadband Providers, Broadband Reviews

If you’re looking for a company with a solid reputation in the areas of technical support and customer service, O2 may be just what you have in mind. The company is making major inroads in the fixed-line broadband market, offering competitive pricing within the framework of attractive package deals. And if it’s speed you’re interested in, O2 will test your speed after installation to make sure you’re getting what you’re paying for.

The company’s reputation was built on its impressive mobile phone network, but it quickly shot to the top of the ADSL/fixed-line broadband market when it entered the fray two years ago. O2 offers mobile broadband, as well, and it has built up a user base of close to a half a million satisfied customers in the short time that it has been in the broadband business. More and more customers are choosing to use O2’s wireless router in their homes for convenience and ease. The company’s free and professional customer support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Although O2’s product list is still on the small side – compared to some of the other giants who have been in the ADSL/broadband market longer – it is growing every day in its attempt to play catch-up and reach the one-million-customer mark by next year. Many of the company’s customers register for an O2 package that includes a mobile phone, mobile broadband and fixed-line broadband, with deals that are hard to resist. For instance, if you sign up for O2’s Premium or Pro packages, you can get the first three months of service for free.

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Broadband Download Speeds – Who Provides the Fastest?

August 21st, 2009 | Broadband, Broadband Comparison, Broadband Deals

In the UK, the government has pledged that by the year 2010, all of its households will have the opportunity to connect to the Internet with a broadband speed of 2 Mbps, which is certainly better than the 56K dial-up speed that some people might still be suffering from. But what about others who need something better, something faster? Many sites on the Internet, such as ThinkBroadband.com, are devoted to providing data to inform Internet users of what services and speed various broadband providers can offer. As of this writing, they have a listing of 60 different providers, with ratings, that potential customers can use in determining which company will be able to provide them with what they need.

Although some companies do offer a super-fast broadband connection of 24 Mbps, this is possible only if all circumstances are ideal, such as if your wiring is in mint condition and you don’t live too far from the telephone exchanges of the UK hotspots. When an offer proclaims, “up to 24 Mbps”, what you get in reality could be 15 Mbps, or even less. As of this writing, the fastest broadband speed available in the UK is 50 Mbps, although internationally there are countries that are able to access speeds of 100 Mbps. Your best bet, as far as finding a provider that offers high speed broadband access, is to search the Internet for those sites; for example, broadband finder has done the work of gathering data regarding the many Internet service providers and allows you to compare prices, speeds and service to find the deal that’s the best for you.

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What is mobile broadband?

August 18th, 2009 | Broadband Equipment, Mobile Broadband

Mobile broadband is a type of high-speed Internet access used by portable or wireless devices, such as laptop computers, cellphones, USB modems, or other devices using portable modems, including satellite systems. The rapid expansion of broadband use (up to some 400% to more than 60 million users in the US since 2003) has led telecommunications manufacturers to develop international standards. In 2002, the Computer Society of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers approved the international Mobile Broadband Wireless Access Working Group for this purpose. The goal is to enable worldwide, affordable broadband all the time for private and business users.

Last year in the UK, Digital Britain (established to promote broadband expansion), recommended that the government introduce 100% broadband coverage by 2012. Extending broadband coverage is vital for undeveloped countries, as research has found a direct link between mobile broadband access to information and services and economic development. Improved access to information via broadband also benefits school systems, health care, and government services. To cite just one example, mobile broadband is helping a village health project in Rwanda, where a doctor can consult colleagues on the Internet about which medicines to prescribe.

Broadband just keeps on growing: According to telecommunications giant Ericsson, more than 4 billion people worldwide will have mobile broadband subscriptions by 2011. This is directly related to development, as a 2007 report by the GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) found that economic growth was boosted by 1.2 percent for every 10% rise in mobile broadband users.

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The top 5 mobile broadband providers

August 13th, 2009 | Broadband, Broadband Providers, Mobile Broadband

Mobile broadband providers in the UK are fiercely competitive and all claim to be the best. This brief survey of the top 5 mobile UK broadband providers reflects the latest industry survey at the beginning of June 2009. All providers offer similar packages ranging in price from £10 to £20, depending on features and length of contract. A performance survey by P3 Solutions during the first quarter of 2009 named T-Mobile Broadband for the third time as the leader for its e-mail reliability, quick uploading speed, and fast Web browsing ability. A similar survey by YouGov ranked T-Mobile first in six categories of customer satisfaction, including network coverage (all broadband users note that service outside 3G areas is slower than dial-up).

Sharing second place were Vodafone Small Business, voted Best Wireless ISP by industry peers at the 2008 UK Internet Industry Awards, and Vodafone. The former offers a free USB modem stick as a deal sweetener, while the latter provides a Dell Inspiron mini notebook. O2 Mobile Broadband was rated third, but customers said that its service staff was reasonable and easy to reach.

Fourth-ranked 3 Mobile Broadband tries to entice customers with a free USB modem, but users report slowdowns when apparently too many people log on at the same time, suggesting a lack of network capacity. Users also complain about poor customer support. Some of fifth-ranked Orange Mobile Broadband’s customers who use laptops report having to reboot in order to activate their USB dongle connection.

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Getting the Best Free Router Deal from Your Broadband Provider

August 11th, 2009 | Broadband Deals, Broadband Equipment, Broadband Providers

Today in the UK, there are over 100 broadband packages available from dozens of Internet service providers (ISPs). These ISPs offer a number of options, besides low price and fast speed. Some plans come with free security software, some provide unlimited free phone calls within the UK, some provide a free modem or a free router, and some even offer a free laptop.

Choosing the right broadband provider is often just a question of choosing the right broadband plan. Of course, it is a good idea to speak with neighbours and friends to make sure the companies you are thinking about using offer good service in your area. Also, it is a good idea to learn what extras are offered and to think clearly about which ones you would like. If free phone calls are important, you can look for a plan that offers that. If you will be doing a lot of downloading, you will want faster speed. If you have more than one computer at home, you will want a router so that both computers can be online at the same time.

Once you know what service you need, look online for broadband comparison sites. They will give you the latest deals and can help you make an informed decision. If you are looking for a package with a free router, Pipex, AOL, O2, TalkTalk, Virgin Broadband, and BT all offer plans that include a free router.

Netgear ADSL Router

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Broadband Reviews – America Online (AOL)

August 7th, 2009 | Broadband Providers, Broadband Reviews

The broadband provider that all others are compared to (for better or for worse), is America Online (AOL) – a mega-provider in the UK and around the world. When it comes to fixed-line broadband, AOL is a standard-setter, though many claim it has gotten a bit too big for its britches (a theory that is widely argued). AOL Broadband set the bar when it became the first Internet provider to offer a wireless router as part of its standard package, and its software and other products remain easy to use and simple to install, a big plus in this complex industry.

The one major downside to AOL service is its customer service and technical support. There are no toll-free numbers, nor is service available 24/7, as it is for many other (smaller) broadband providers in the UK. For business broadband users, this isn’t the end of the world (as AOL’s service lines adhere to business hours); for home users in the UK, this can be something of a drawback. Other than the service caveat, however, AOL packages are unparalleled, and even their most basic deals include anti-virus software, spam filters, parent-control functions, and pop-up blockers. AOL has been in business for almost 25 years (launching in the US at first) and its pricing remains competitive and attractive. AOL UK was bought by Carphone Warehouse a few years back, and that company also acquired Tiscali and TalkTalk along the way. AOL’s customers (over 1.7 million in the UK) are a satisfied lot, taking advantage of all this broadband superstar has to offer.

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A comparison of UK Broadband providers

August 6th, 2009 | Broadband Comparison, Broadband Deals, Broadband Providers

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) generally offer subscription packages that can be acquired throughout the year. Most of these broadband providers have standard broadband packages, whilst offering other packages that last for only a short while, during which the ISP promotes a particular deal. The latest broadband deals, comparisons and reviews can be accessed via the Internet and through particular Internet sites that offer customers basic, important information about different companies and their latest offers.

Often, broadband deals are created to entice customers to sign up quickly to the company. In addition, these broadband deals not only have an expiry date, but they are also often developed in conjunction with an existing package. Occasionally, customers can find a broadband deal or package that is totally unique. For those intending to sign up to a limited deal, being aware of price is something that should take priority. Indeed, often, the introductory price is much cheaper than the price of the remaining subscription.

Some different broadband deals include: 1) the O2 standard package costs £12.23 per month for 8Mbps and unlimited downloads. This is a one-year contract. 2) Virgin Size L broadband package costs £15.00 a month for 10Mbps and unlimited downloads, and a 12-month contract. 3) PlusNet Value Broadband costs £5.99 per month for 8Mbps and 10GB of downloads per month, on an 18-month contract. 4) BT Option 1 Broadband costs £7.78 for the first three months and £15.65 thereafter for 8Mbps and 10GB of downloads per month, on an 18-month contract.

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Broadband speed and why it’s slow

August 4th, 2009 | Broadband, Broadband Equipment

When people purchase a broadband plan, very often they don’t get the speed they thought they were buying. Broadband is about fast Internet, but all too often, what people buy is not what they get. It’s important to keep in mind that this is true for all providers; traffic and distance to the exchange are the likely culprits. Ofcom, the government watchdog, is monitoring the situation and demanding that broadband companies take care to offer realistic services. No matter what speed your package is, broadband should be considerably faster than the old dial-up service.

Broadband gives you fast Internet; however, many people have unrealistic expectations and then they’re disappointed. Download speed can be affected by a lot of things: where your modem and antenna are placed, how much traffic is on a particular site, or downloading something very large. It might be due to unrelated software on your computer or a problem in your phone line. Sometimes being far away from the phone exchange can give you bad service. Often people find that certain times of the day are slower than others. This can be due to a high volume of customers on a particular Web site or many users in your area. Occasionally, cables, modems and routers can be responsible. Make sure yours are optimized for your plan. In any case, if you are not happy with your service, speak to your provider; very often with a little tweaking, your service can be much improved.

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