About Broadband in the UK
Broadband is a fast connection to the Internet and has almost replaced
dial-up access. Most broadband services
in the UK offer speeds ranging from between 1Mbps (or 1024Kbps) to 20Mbps.
A common package includes speeds of up to 8Mbps.
Please note that speeds may also be shown with "M/bits
per second" or just "Mb".
The broadband is via a Mobile Broadband, ADSL, or Cable package. Currently, the quickest way to get Internet access is by taking out a mobile broadband service from a mobile network providers, which works by plugging-in a small, portable USB Modem (or dongle) into your laptop or PC. Speeds at the moment are not as quick as a home-based connection such as through ADSL (a BT line) or a Cable line (Virgin Media), but they are likely to catch up in the future. However, For some users, a mobile broadband connection may in fact be quicker, if the user lives far from a telephone exchange or cannot get Cable.
There are a lot of benefits to using broadband, such as fast
downloading of web pages, music and movie clips/movies, playing games online,
cheap phone calls over the Internet, video conferencing and running home
based private networks.
Small businesses can also benefit from broadband. The
ability to make phone calls over the Internet can help bring down communication
costs as it is often cheaper or can free in some cases. A faster Internet connection generally
allows employees to work more efficiently. Many get the opportunity
to work from home using their broadband connection, which helps to reduce
travel costs and saves time.
Broadband services in the UK:
ADSL / SDSL
ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) is the most common
form of access in the UK for consumers and businesses, with around
99.6% coverage through BT's telephone network. Its widespread availability and large range of suppliers
makes it more popular than cable services. The download speed is typically
much less from the upload speed which is why it is called Asymmetric. Most
broadband providers offer download speeds of up to 8Mbps. Some
providers such as Sky and BE offer higher speeds than this through Local
Loop Unbundling or LLU (see below for more information about LLU).
An ADSL connection allows you to have an Internet connection and
a phone-line free at the same time. There
are over 200 broadband providers to choose from in the UK so there are a range
of good deals available. Most packages are pay monthly.
Often,
broadband providers require a 12 or 18 month contract, but will normally
provide a free modem/router and free activation (for new broadband users). However,
most monthly contract deals will require you to pay a BT activation fee if
broadband is not active on your phone line.
You may have noticed that download speeds are quoted as "up to". This is because real ADSL broadband speeds are dependant on many factors. The most important one is the distance from your house to the local BT exchange. Other factors include quality of phone wiring in the house or building.
In practice, this means that most users
will never achieve the maximum possible line speed quoted, but most should
be able to get around 2Mbps - 4Mbps. These kinds of speeds will probably be
enough for most types of usage. If you are a heavy downloader or need a
very fast connection, you should probably expect to pay more, and look beyond normal consumer packages. Many ISPs now provide guidelines for the type of usage their individual products are suitable for.
Most consumer ADSL broadband packages are contended services. This
means the users connection is shared by many users on
the same telephone exchange. This is another factor that can reduce download
speeds, especially at peak usage hours. Very
heavy users may also find their connection gets throttled (download speeds reduced by the ISP) if they are consistently downloading large files
and using up a lot of the bandwidth in order to keep it level for all users. Most providers
explain this
in a so-called 'fair usage' policy. From
this point of view, it is important to choose a package that is suitable
for your usage pattern.
Broadband for small businesses
There are many packages that cater specifically for business users. These tend to have a service level agreement (SLA) and offer better support. Many also offer SDSL (Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line) services. SDSL provides the same upload and download speeds. SDSL speeds tend to be much more consistent. However, you will need a dedicated phone line for this option since SDSL doesn't allow for the phone line to be free on the same line. Find out more about SDSL from BT here.
LLU (Local Loop Unbundling)
Many providers now offer broadband using the LLU process. This is where a provider installs their own equipment in a phone exchange (called unbundling), so provides broadband through alternative means rather than use BT Wholesale like other ISPs. The advantage of this, following the initial investment, is a cheaper rental cost to the consumer. Many companies including Talk Talk and Sky offer broadband through this method. Some of these providers also use ADSL2 technology, which allows for higher quoted speeds of up to 24Mbps. However in practice, due to the constraints mentioned previously, the speed you often receive will be lower.
^ Back to TopCable Broadband
This is offered by the Virgin Media group. Previously known as NTL and Telewest, it underwent a rebranding in early 2007. Coverage is limited to areas with cable fitted in their area. Virgin Media offer bundles of Broadband, Digital TV, a phone line and mobile. These products are available individually or in various combinations. Currently, Virgin Media can offer broadband speeds of up to 20Mbps. However, trials are taking place for providing higher speeds of up to 50Mbps. Unlike DSL, broadband speeds are not subject to as many limiting factors. However, user contention and bandwidth throttling at peak usage times can still limit speeds.
Mobile Broadband
Broadband over the UK’s mobile networks has now become a viable alternative, using technologies such as 3G. The advantage of this is you do not have to use your BT landline. Currently, mobile broadband speeds range from 1 to 7.2 Mbps. Many providers offer broadband by providing a small USB modem that is simply plugged into a laptop or PC. Popular packages include T-Mobile Web n Walk and 3 Mobile Broadband. See our Mobile Broadband comparison page for further information.
Satellite
This option requires a Satellite Dish to be installed. The options available are one-way and two-way. The former requires the use of a dialup modem and uses your phone line. Its good for general home use but has a slow upload speed. The latter offers a faster connection speed but costs more to install and run. Its coverage is very widespread but bad weather can cause problems with service and it can be costly to run. It is a good alternative for rural areas if you do not have a phone line or cable.
Wireless
Some ISPs offer Internet access to wireless (WiFi) enabled devices such as laptops at so-called 'hotspots'. Typically, places such as cafes, airports and popular public locations provide wireless Internet access. Pipex (now Tiscali) is currently conducting trials for providing a long distance wireless services to the home using a technology called WiMax.
Further information
- Broadband price comparison - Compare broadband providers in the UK
- Mobile Broadband price comparison - Compare Mobile broadband providers in the UK
- Choosing
tips for Broadband - Tips on choosing a
broadband provider