Guide to Broadband

NICVA

Free

What is Broadband and why do I need it?

Broadband is the common term for a high bandwidth internet connection, one that can send or download information many times faster than with a standard telephone and modem. You can do everything you want to do online more quickly with broadband. The most popular services in the UK at the moment are running at speeds of 2Mbps (approximately forty times faster than a modem), although speeds of up to 8Mbps can be obtained.

More and more websites and web applications are being developed with broadband in mind, so now is the time to switch to broadband.

What are the advantages and disadvantages?

Advantages of Broadband over a dial-up (56k modem):

1. up to 80x or 160x faster than dial-up ¹
2. fixed monthly cost
3. Supports internet telephone calling or VoIP ²
4. Forthcoming digital television services
5. great value for money
6. competitive modem and router prices (some cases they are free)
7. doesn't tie up your existing telephone line
8. parental control over websites viewed.

What do I need to get online?

You will need the following in order to get online:

BT telephone line: You must have a BT telephone line installed and an ADSL enabled exchange (refer to Can I get broadband?) Your line must pass a number of tests before installation can go ahead.

An ADSL modem or router: Most Internet Service Providers (ISPs) eg BT, Wanadoo, will supply you with a modem or router either free of charge or at additional cost.

A micro-filter for each phone socket: A micro-filter is designed to plug into your phone socket (similar to a standard splitter used to connect multiple telephones). Its purpose is to separate voice from data and must be connected to each phone socket in your house. Most ISPs and retailers include micro-filters with the start-up pack (additional micro-filters can also be purchased at time of sign up)

Can I get broadband?

Probably, but it's best to check. You can check online at www.broadbandchecker.co.uk
or BT Total Broadband by using your telephone number, postcode or address. The Broadband Availability Checker provides only an assessment of the likelihood of being able to receive broadband and your line will also have to pass further technical checks. Distance related limits for the most popular broadband services have been removed. More than 99.8% of lines connected to a broadband exchange should now be able to get an ADSL broadband service.

According to the Broadband Checker I can't get it, what now?

Broadband is already available at exchanges serving more than 98% of Northern Ireland homes and businesses. BT now has a programme of exchange upgrades planned to take availability to more than 99.6% of the UK by summer 2005. A planned rollout allows the best technical and engineering solutions to be adopted and speeds up completion. DETI (NI) has outlined their commitment to 100% broadband access with a minimum of 512k for all households and businesses by end of 2005.

What now?

Firstly, check that can get broadband, you can check online at www.broadbandchecker.co.uk
Or BT Total Broadband using your telephone number, postcode or address, once you have done this you'll be presented with all the information needed to signup, a list of Internet Service Providers will be displayed for you to choose from.

Additional information:

www.adslguide.org.uk

¹ 8Mb broadband (8Mbits/s) is approximately 160 times faster than standard dial-up internet (0.05Mbit/s), and up to 4 times faster than the current popular broadband service (2Mbit/s).

² VoIP allows you to make telephone calls using a computer network, over a data network like the Internet. VoIP Explained