Posts Tagged ‘wireless broadband’
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What is broadband?
Broadband is a way of connecting to the Internet at a faster speed than dial up. It is actually capable of delivering content at least 40 times faster than with dial up, with things like videos, audio files, large pictures and files etc.With a broadband connection you don’t need to dial up every time you want to go online, making those dialing tones and disconnections a thing of the past.
There are five main types of broadband, all which cater to different users needs.
ADSL Broadband
ADSL stands of Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line and is the most commonly used broadband in the UK.
ADSL broadband allows you to connect to the Internet through your telephone line but at the same time allows you to make and take telephone calls without kicking you offline.
A microfilter also needs to be plugged into each telephone socket in your home which will stop you from getting interference when you make a phone call. These microfilters will most likely be included in the broadband package (depending on the supplier) but can also be purchased from a good PC retailer at just £5.
Cable Broadband
Cable broadband uses the cable network and is most likely to be provided by a cable operator, such as Virgin Media. With cable broadband you do not need a telephone line in order to obtain cable broadband services.
Cable Internet services are connected via an optical fibre cable which is capable of supporting very high speed Internet services, such as 50Mb. The cable feed is connected into your home from the street and then connected to a special cable modem, which is capable of decoding the cable broadband signal. The cable modem can then be connected directly into your computer, or to a wireless router which can connect to several PC’s, if you wish to share the Internet.
Cable broadband is currently available to around 60 per cent of the UK’s population.
Mobile Broadband
Fast, high speed broadband connection in areas where you can receive a 3G mobile telephone signal. Mobile broadband speeds are generally between 1.5Mbs and 2Mbs which is a lot faster than dial up but still significantly slower than your average fixed line broadband.
When you sign up to mobile broadband you are likely to receive a mobile broadband modem which typically connects to your USB port on your PC; also referred to as a mobile broadband dongle. The dongle simply loads up software provided by the company providing you with mobile broadband as well as signal strength details and your monthly usage total.
You don’t need a phone like to have mobile broadband services; however they can be more expensive than ADSL or cable broadband.
Wireless broadband
If your computer can go wireless then you will be able to connect to a wireless broadband service or hot spot. Some broadband packages will include the wireless router so that you can connect your computer to the Internet, sharing the connection with several other PC’s. This type of connection is perfect for people who want an Internet connection with more freedom and flexibility with the advantage of not using any wires.
Satellite broadband
Satellite broadband is an option for those of us that want broadband at home but are not in a broadband area. It doesn’t involve your phone line or an independent cable network; it involves a special two way satellite. The satellite signal is beamed to a precise coordinate in the sky which reaches another satellite in space. This then gives the user Internet connection wherever their home is located in the world. It does come at a higher cost than setting up broadband but does offer a higher speed of 2Mbs.
For more information about broadband packages and how they can help you, visit Top10.com the UK’s leading comparison site for mobile phones and wireless Internet.
