In this section:
think broadband
thinkbroadband.com is the UK's largest independent broadband news and information site. They provide independent advice and details on the services offered by Broadband Service Providers so you can make an informed decision as to who to use as your supplier.
Services
What is broadband?
Broadband is a method of connecting to the Internet. It is called broadband as it provides a high-speed Internet connection.
Why is broadband good?
The benefits of broadband are mainly related to the speed of the connection. With a broadband internet connection all these things happen much more quickly! You will be able to do many things at once with broadband. It is even fast enough to allow several people to use the same Internet connection at once if you have more than one computer and they are networked together.
How do I get broadband?
The most common technology used for a broadband connection in the UK is ADSL (a form of DSL) which is provided using the BT telephone network. This is available to 99.9% of premises in the UK, so you'll more than likely be able to get it. You do not have to sign up with BT to get broadband using ADSL though- more on this in the Broadband Service Providres section. Cable modems are also quite popular as an alternative in areas where ntl:Telewest have rolled out their TV network.
If you have a BT phone line, you receive TV or telephone from ntl:Telewest, or you've got a phone line from Kingston Communications in Hull, you've got the starting blocks. The next step is to choose a service provider.
How to choose a Broadband Service Provider?
On the thinkbroadband website we list many broadband providers- in the industry they are called Internet Service Providers or ISP's for short.
The place to start is to work out what is most important to you. If price is a deciding factor, you may find you can get a cheaper service by going with a supplier you already use. For example, Sky and Orange may be able to offer you a cheaper or free service if you have a TV or mobile phone contract with them already.
Be aware that different broadband providers offer a different quality of service. The adage, "you get what you pay for" is often true, as low cost providers may put minimal investment into providing the service.
It's worth checking the ratings on our site using the "Compare" feature to see how different providers rank month to month. We also have a forum section where many users of the different providers talk to each other about the service or problems they've been having. These are often worth looking at to see how happy the current customers are.
What now?
Sign up! You may wish to check further on the broadband providers website to see if they have any special offers or changes to the information we don't yet show. If you prefer, many providers allow you to sign up over the phone.
To summarise,
- You usually need a BT phone line or ntl:Telewest service.
- Pick an ISP and a package that suits you
- Choose what hardware to use and where to get it from
- Sign up!
More information
Get all the latest information and comments on broadband.
Article last updated: Feb 3, 2010
