Datacentre Support Reference Guides
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laptops, electronics and gadgets Choosing the Right Internet Service Provider | |
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There are currently three main types of broadband
connection options available to the average consumer. The first and most
common is ADSL which uses the existing copper telephone land line that most
properties already have to provider a broadband internet connection. The
second is cable broadband which uses a subterranean network of cables, and
thanks to fibre optic technology is capable of much faster speeds than ADSL
broadband, but is of course limited in availability to cabled areas. The
third broadband connection type and the most recent to arrive on the market
is mobile broadband. Unlike Cable and ADSL broadband, mobile broadband
requires no landline connection whatsoever and uses 3G mobile networking
technology instead. This means that you can use a mobile broadband
connection anywhere in the country with adequate 3G network coverage, and
speeds range between 3.6 and 7.2Mbps depending on which service provider you
are with and the level of network coverage in your area. Choosing which type of broadband service is best to suit your needs can be tough, and is a task made even tougher by the fact that there are multiple providers all offering similar looking packages. The differences between each package can sometimes be concealed in technical jargon and in the small print, so it`s important to consider the following points when choosing. The first and for some most important consideration is the speed of the connection. ADSL Internet Service Providers will usually offer `up to` 8Mbps download speed, but because of the nature of copper wire only those closest to the local telephone exchange will be able to achieve this top speed. Some cable services are available at 50Mbps download speed, though these high end packages will cost you significantly more a month and there is usually a fair use policy in operation. Mobile broadband is great for those who don`t want to pay for a land line or who travel around a lot, but speed is dependant on several factors and a consistent connection is not guaranteed in every area. Once you`ve decided on which type of service is right for you you`ll need to set up your connection. Most providers of ADSL and cable services will send out a free wireless router to every new customer, and you`ll need to follow the specific instructions included as manufacturers vary. For a majority of ADSL customers you`ll need to plug the router into a microfilter which will in turn plug into your telephone socket and separate the digital broadband signal from the telephone service. You`ll then need to connect your PC or laptop to the router via a network cable to set up the connection. Mobile broadband uses a single piece of technology, a USB dongle with a modem inside, and in most cases the software necessary for set up is already on the dongle so it really is a case of plugging it in and connecting. Using a broadband speed test online in order to gage the speed of your line is a way in which many people decide whether it`s time to look at different broadband plans and change providers, or simply troubleshoot their existing connection.
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